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Hometown Heat #1
All Fired Up
A Small Town Second Chance Firefighter Romance
5 hours and 34 minutes
I’m the station’s youngest fire chief, a grown man, and fully in my right mind—which means I’m not going to fall for the One Who Got Away.
That’s not the kind of person I am.
Second chances are like skipping leg day—I don’t do that. Ever.
But I wasn’t counting on Naomi buying me at the firefighter charity auction. Now I’m forced into a month of dates with the one woman who cuts through my defenses like no one else, and I’m starting to think maybe she’s right…maybe we are different people than the teenagers who failed at love.
Maybe this isn’t a fire I have to put out.
Maybe for the first time in my life I can relax and just…let it burn.
Or maybe we’re both about to learn that fire isn’t something you should underestimate—especially the kind that burns between a man and a woman.
The complete Hometown Heroes series releases this summer!
All Fired Up
Catching Fire
Playing with Fire
*All Fired Up was previously published as Last of the Red Hot Firefighters by Jessie Evans. It has been rewritten in first person and heavily revised for this new edition.*
5 hours and 34 minutes
I’m the station’s youngest fire chief, a grown man, and fully in my right mind—which means I’m not going to fall for the One Who Got Away.
That’s not the kind of person I am.
Second chances are like skipping leg day—I don’t do that. Ever.
But I wasn’t counting on Naomi buying me at the firefighter charity auction. Now I’m forced into a month of dates with the one woman who cuts through my defenses like no one else, and I’m starting to think maybe she’s right…maybe we are different people than the teenagers who failed at love.
Maybe this isn’t a fire I have to put out.
Maybe for the first time in my life I can relax and just…let it burn.
Or maybe we’re both about to learn that fire isn’t something you should underestimate—especially the kind that burns between a man and a woman.
The complete Hometown Heroes series releases this summer!
All Fired Up
Catching Fire
Playing with Fire
*All Fired Up was previously published as Last of the Red Hot Firefighters by Jessie Evans. It has been rewritten in first person and heavily revised for this new edition.*
6 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 15, 2021
612 people are currently reading
963 people want to read
About the author
Lili Valente
151 books4,082 followersVisit Lili at www.lilivalente.com
Author of over forty novels, USA Today Bestseller Lili Valente writes everything from steamy suspense to laugh-out-loud romantic comedies. She can't resist a story where love wins big. Because love should always win. She lives in Vermont with her two big-hearted boy children and a dog named Pippa Jane.
*Lili rarely visits this site as it is a site intended for readers, not authors. If you have questions, the best way to reach Lili is through her website contact form. Happy reading!
Author of over forty novels, USA Today Bestseller Lili Valente writes everything from steamy suspense to laugh-out-loud romantic comedies. She can't resist a story where love wins big. Because love should always win. She lives in Vermont with her two big-hearted boy children and a dog named Pippa Jane.
*Lili rarely visits this site as it is a site intended for readers, not authors. If you have questions, the best way to reach Lili is through her website contact form. Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
August 5, 2021
So this book was so average, you know what I mean. I feel like I was just skimming through the book because so much of it was fluff and boring. I swear the author was trying to give both of them grief-stricken pasts just so they had something to feel sorry for the other about. So the main characters are Naomi and Jake, who were high school sweet-hearts, but Naomi decides to go to Hollywood and become a cook superstar. This leaves Jake heart-broken, frustrated, and bitter. What is also revealed is that she feels guilty for spending the last day in her home town with Jake's brother *a very platonic night!* So after 15 years, they both have gone through love, death, and pain; Naomi had a jerky fiance who left her alone at their premature daughter's funeral and Jake's wife ends up passing away in a car accident. After the 15 years, Naomi returns to their hometown in the hopes of amending her relationship with Jake and also opening up a bakery with her sister and best-friend. When she returns Jake is super agitated, rude, and jerky. This book is dual perspective so you do know what he is thinking, but at the same time he is so pathetic and petty...like DUDE it has been 15 years, you have been married, get over it!!!! Like if getting married doesn't say you have moved on, I don't know what does! So the problem that she has come to resolve is so stupid to begin with. If he can't get over her pursuing her career and she was a little harsh in not saying goodbye and you are still sticking onto that, you are so pathetic buddy, GAHHHHH!
I really didn't like either character. Their problems where so stupid and pathetic and IDK the romance was also quite subpar. Now when you get to the climax, that is when it gets extra bad. So essentially after forgiving Naomi for like two weeks, he decides to propose to her, right because that is so smart? At this point Naomi is still kinda guilty about not telling him about the platonic night she spent with his brother. Well don't worry sister, his brother ends up telling Jake and guess what? He ends up becoming furious and punches his brother in the face, and drives off all angry man. When Naomi finds out that the brother has spilled the beans, guess what she does. She YELLS at him!!!!! Like sis what did he do wrong? She tells him that he shouldn't have told Jake because it will hurt him and that that night does not matter and that it caused more harm than good. GURL! Your logic SUCKS, like the truth will hurt. Like the way the author wrote that scene was so bad. But at the same time I wanna punch Jake or Jace or whatever his stupid name is because BROOOOOO this was 15 years ago!!!!!!!!!! it was more than a decade agooooo! Anyways both the characters annoy me and they seem really stupid and like the type of couple who has no care for the people around them. No great!
I really didn't like either character. Their problems where so stupid and pathetic and IDK the romance was also quite subpar. Now when you get to the climax, that is when it gets extra bad. So essentially after forgiving Naomi for like two weeks, he decides to propose to her, right because that is so smart? At this point Naomi is still kinda guilty about not telling him about the platonic night she spent with his brother. Well don't worry sister, his brother ends up telling Jake and guess what? He ends up becoming furious and punches his brother in the face, and drives off all angry man. When Naomi finds out that the brother has spilled the beans, guess what she does. She YELLS at him!!!!! Like sis what did he do wrong? She tells him that he shouldn't have told Jake because it will hurt him and that that night does not matter and that it caused more harm than good. GURL! Your logic SUCKS, like the truth will hurt. Like the way the author wrote that scene was so bad. But at the same time I wanna punch Jake or Jace or whatever his stupid name is because BROOOOOO this was 15 years ago!!!!!!!!!! it was more than a decade agooooo! Anyways both the characters annoy me and they seem really stupid and like the type of couple who has no care for the people around them. No great!
March 11, 2025
A short and fast read. Was more invested in it than I thought I would be.
August 28, 2022
2 Naomi and Jake Stars
Lots of love out there for this second chance romance but it didn't quite work for me. I wasn't keen on either main character and I didn't feel like they would have worked. It ends fairly abruptly at 90% on my Kindle but there is a sneak peek of the next book in the series about a different couple.
I skimmed a lot of this book which is never a good sign.
I do like this author's work and just because this one didn't work out, I would still read other books by her.
Be aware this book includes the aftermath of a stillbirth (Naomi) and the loss of a wife in a car accident (Jake).
HEA? More HFN
Cheating? No - It's implied , but no.
Lots of love out there for this second chance romance but it didn't quite work for me. I wasn't keen on either main character and I didn't feel like they would have worked. It ends fairly abruptly at 90% on my Kindle but there is a sneak peek of the next book in the series about a different couple.
I skimmed a lot of this book which is never a good sign.
I do like this author's work and just because this one didn't work out, I would still read other books by her.
Be aware this book includes the aftermath of a stillbirth (Naomi) and the loss of a wife in a car accident (Jake).
HEA? More HFN
Cheating? No - It's implied , but no.
June 13, 2022
1,5 ✨
The blurb got me curious but it ended up being nothing too memorable.
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: second chance
▬ 𝐭𝐰: death (baby & wife)
The blurb got me curious but it ended up being nothing too memorable.
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: second chance
▬ 𝐭𝐰: death (baby & wife)
August 17, 2021
DNF 25%
Messy book.
First date : he still hates her. Barely acknowledges her.
Second date : almost f*ckes her in the janitor closet.
The whole story makes no sens.
Plus the female narrator is TERRIBLE.
Makes the h even more annoying than she already is.
Messy book.
First date : he still hates her. Barely acknowledges her.
Second date : almost f*ckes her in the janitor closet.
The whole story makes no sens.
Plus the female narrator is TERRIBLE.
Makes the h even more annoying than she already is.
August 7, 2021
*Contains Spoilers*
This book was just simply okay. I’m a sucker for a second chance romance but this was average. The reason why Naomi left was given but it wasn’t as dramatic as I had hoped.
She just wanted to see the world and wrote Jake a Dear John letter (which is such a sucky thing to do considering how much they loved each other) and gave the letter to Jamison (Jake’s brother) to give to Jake instead of doing it herself. Then she spent the night getting drunk with Jamison and woke up in bed with him. Apparently nothing happened but they still decided to keep this secret from Jake.
There wasn’t any groveling either. She came back. He was a dick a few times but decided to be nice then they couldn’t resist each other and ended up happily together again with the secret of her spending the night with his brother hanging over her head.
Even though Jake was crazy possessive I don’t get why they hid it from him especially when nothing happened or why Jamison was still mad over it and didn’t want them to be together or whatever because she wasn’t an honest person. Now this was dramatic and unnecessary.
I don’t know. I didn’t like either characters and couldn’t really connect with either one of them. The pace was strange for my liking. She bid on him during an auction where they would date every Friday for a month. During the first date, he couldn’t handle it so he left her. Second date he buys her sunflowers and almost sleeps with her in a closet. Then skips to the Fireman’s Ball which is their last official date where he was going to purpose until Jamison told him the truth. I mean I guess if you know you know but I felt like there was no chemistry that led up to that moment. I don’t know, I wish there were glimpses of them in love when they were younger besides the extraordinary sex they were having at the age of 16-18. There was just no real chemistry or scenes of them simply being together, it was more of “another week has gone by” or “Naomi has been spending the night the past week” or something that like it was all talk and no show, no actual scenes or glimpses of it actually happening for us to swoon over. Even with the one Faith POV it looked like she and Mick had a better connection than Jake and Naomi.
This book was just simply okay. I’m a sucker for a second chance romance but this was average. The reason why Naomi left was given but it wasn’t as dramatic as I had hoped.
She just wanted to see the world and wrote Jake a Dear John letter (which is such a sucky thing to do considering how much they loved each other) and gave the letter to Jamison (Jake’s brother) to give to Jake instead of doing it herself. Then she spent the night getting drunk with Jamison and woke up in bed with him. Apparently nothing happened but they still decided to keep this secret from Jake.
There wasn’t any groveling either. She came back. He was a dick a few times but decided to be nice then they couldn’t resist each other and ended up happily together again with the secret of her spending the night with his brother hanging over her head.
Even though Jake was crazy possessive I don’t get why they hid it from him especially when nothing happened or why Jamison was still mad over it and didn’t want them to be together or whatever because she wasn’t an honest person. Now this was dramatic and unnecessary.
I don’t know. I didn’t like either characters and couldn’t really connect with either one of them. The pace was strange for my liking. She bid on him during an auction where they would date every Friday for a month. During the first date, he couldn’t handle it so he left her. Second date he buys her sunflowers and almost sleeps with her in a closet. Then skips to the Fireman’s Ball which is their last official date where he was going to purpose until Jamison told him the truth. I mean I guess if you know you know but I felt like there was no chemistry that led up to that moment. I don’t know, I wish there were glimpses of them in love when they were younger besides the extraordinary sex they were having at the age of 16-18. There was just no real chemistry or scenes of them simply being together, it was more of “another week has gone by” or “Naomi has been spending the night the past week” or something that like it was all talk and no show, no actual scenes or glimpses of it actually happening for us to swoon over. Even with the one Faith POV it looked like she and Mick had a better connection than Jake and Naomi.
August 16, 2024
No one writes second chance, small town romance like Lili Valente. The writing makes you feel like you’re living the story right along with the characters.
Jake and Naomi have come along way since their childhood romance, both of them have found love and suffered losses but maybe fate has decided it’s time to bring them back together. When Naomi decided to move back home she knew she would have to face Jake and the past that she left behind, but she wasn’t expecting the feelings she once had for him to come back so strong. Can these two set the past behind them and find love again? Of course they can, it wouldn’t be a Lili Valente romance without a HEA.
Jake and Naomi have come along way since their childhood romance, both of them have found love and suffered losses but maybe fate has decided it’s time to bring them back together. When Naomi decided to move back home she knew she would have to face Jake and the past that she left behind, but she wasn’t expecting the feelings she once had for him to come back so strong. Can these two set the past behind them and find love again? Of course they can, it wouldn’t be a Lili Valente romance without a HEA.
August 8, 2022
Naomi Whitehouse left the small town of Bliss River when she was eighteen to see the world, leaving her boyfriend, Jake, behind. Now, after a successful career as a TV chef, she's back. And Jake's not happy. He's the fire station's youngest chief and still dealing with personal tragedy. Now The One Who Got Away is back and he can't handle it. Naomi broke his heart when she left, then rubbed his nose in it with a string of high profile relationships. He can't even be civil to her so he's just going to act like she doesn't exist. However he's forgotten just how determined Naomi can be. When the fire crew are auctioned off for a month of dates to raise money for the station, she wins him. Now the sparks are really about to fly.
All Fired Up is a small town, second chance, hot contemporary romance and I loved it. It's got a great cast and setting and I love the fact that Naomi's the one that left to make her mark on the world, not Jake. Both their personal past tragedies are handled sensitively and Jake's emotional arc as he comes back to Naomi is just brilliant. I adored this book and can't wait to follow the other character's stories in the rest of the series!
All Fired Up is a small town, second chance, hot contemporary romance and I loved it. It's got a great cast and setting and I love the fact that Naomi's the one that left to make her mark on the world, not Jake. Both their personal past tragedies are handled sensitively and Jake's emotional arc as he comes back to Naomi is just brilliant. I adored this book and can't wait to follow the other character's stories in the rest of the series!
July 2, 2021
There’s just something so appealing about small towns. Add in a second chance romance with a sprinkle of angst and a whole lot of spice, you’ve got yourself a good time.
Naomi is back in town after leaving her fiancé and going through a loss no one should experience. Back in her hometown is her first love, Jake. Jake is now the captain of the fire department. Their relationship didn’t end on the best terms and Jake still hasn’t forgotten or forgave.
Naomi and Jake have an undeniable connection. First love is hard to forget especially when you’re both still very much in love with each other. Naomi is a genuine person and how she went about apologising to Jake and winning his friendship really hit the spot with me. It wasn’t obnoxious, it was sincere. And Jake? A grumpy but loveable firefighter who grew so much as person in this story.
We got a sneak peak of Faith’s story. The lone female fighter on the crew and I love her. I can’t for her story to come out.
Naomi is back in town after leaving her fiancé and going through a loss no one should experience. Back in her hometown is her first love, Jake. Jake is now the captain of the fire department. Their relationship didn’t end on the best terms and Jake still hasn’t forgotten or forgave.
Naomi and Jake have an undeniable connection. First love is hard to forget especially when you’re both still very much in love with each other. Naomi is a genuine person and how she went about apologising to Jake and winning his friendship really hit the spot with me. It wasn’t obnoxious, it was sincere. And Jake? A grumpy but loveable firefighter who grew so much as person in this story.
We got a sneak peak of Faith’s story. The lone female fighter on the crew and I love her. I can’t for her story to come out.
July 16, 2021
Note: An ARC was provided by the author.
Jake and Naomi's story was definitely an entertaining one, and I appreciated that they both went on with their lives after she upped and left Bliss River, especially Jake. While I have nothing against second-chance romances where main characters stay celibate during their years-long separation, I like the realism that comes with characters who move on before the opportunity for rekindling said romance is presented. The secret that Naomi kept from Jake was interesting in that you knew it was going to cause conflict down the line. This is where the importance of trust, honesty, and forgiveness come into play for their rediscovered romance, and thank goodness there wasn't this prolonged period of pussyfooting. I enjoyed everything All Fired Up had to offer, and I'm certainly looking forward to the next book and what awaits the next couple. This snags four stars.
Jake and Naomi's story was definitely an entertaining one, and I appreciated that they both went on with their lives after she upped and left Bliss River, especially Jake. While I have nothing against second-chance romances where main characters stay celibate during their years-long separation, I like the realism that comes with characters who move on before the opportunity for rekindling said romance is presented. The secret that Naomi kept from Jake was interesting in that you knew it was going to cause conflict down the line. This is where the importance of trust, honesty, and forgiveness come into play for their rediscovered romance, and thank goodness there wasn't this prolonged period of pussyfooting. I enjoyed everything All Fired Up had to offer, and I'm certainly looking forward to the next book and what awaits the next couple. This snags four stars.
August 4, 2021
I loved this book! Naomi wanted to travel the world at a young age and do do this she had to give up the love of her life. Jake was a broken man for years after Naomi left but he did build life only to be left alone once again. Decades pass and after a terrible loss Naomi moves back home and wants Jake back at any cost. Jake in the other hand is a different man and had built walls all around him. Their story is both sad and happy, but with determination, past regrets and their continued chemistry their story is heart warming. I loved their ending and hope to read more about them in the next books in their trilogy. ❤️❤️❤️❤��❤️
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July 22, 2021Naomi returns to Bliss River, determined to make amends to her HS sweetheart Jake. She wants to be friends, and thinks that winning him at auction and forcing him into "dating" her will get them back on friendlier terms. Firefighter Jake is having none of it--at first. But Naomi has a secret, which could ruin everything.
***
This book is not up to Lili Valente's usual standards. Apparently, it's a book that was released years ago under a different pen name.
***
This book is not up to Lili Valente's usual standards. Apparently, it's a book that was released years ago under a different pen name.
September 13, 2021
Fast read but I just don’t vibe with this writer. The drama is just for drama and it was so stupid and ridiculous after 15 years I had to laugh. You could tell what was going to be the conflict from jump but the execution was just boring. At one point I was skimming and came across a point where I thought the h was cheating on the H after trying to get back with him only for it to be some random POV from a side character. The ending was cute I guess but the book was just subpar.
July 20, 2021
We’re back in Bliss River! I always love getting “the other side” of the story or “the rest of” the story, and this is *kind of* like that, because we still have the sisters from Falling for the Fling, Falling for the Ex, and Falling for the Bad Boy!!
I’m always amazed at how Lili can write these complete, full stories. We get back story, some sadness to overcome, interaction with old friends and new ones, a little bit of mystery from friends and siblings, hilarity in the others in the community (or a visit to Happy Cat!), and an HEA. It’s just all there. Bam. OH, and steam. Did I mention steam?
All Fired Up is a swoony, second-chance romance that’s both deep and light all at the same time. I can’t wait for the next couple in the series!!
I’m always amazed at how Lili can write these complete, full stories. We get back story, some sadness to overcome, interaction with old friends and new ones, a little bit of mystery from friends and siblings, hilarity in the others in the community (or a visit to Happy Cat!), and an HEA. It’s just all there. Bam. OH, and steam. Did I mention steam?
All Fired Up is a swoony, second-chance romance that’s both deep and light all at the same time. I can’t wait for the next couple in the series!!
July 17, 2024
very surface level and shallow why did i read this
October 1, 2021
unhun. Nope. Hell no. Had so many expectation from this books.Got so disappointed
Over view: Naomi(h) is a famous celebrity chef and Jake is a chief fire fighter. Both are 33, if I am not wrong. They were HS sweethearts but Naomi was the one that got away. . Now 15 years later she is back and to make amends with her long lost lover. With little twist and turn they both get there happily ever after.
My view: What I liked most about this book was, author reversing the role in matter of wealth and all the dating and stuff, which we generally see in a male protagonist. Really appreciate that and tbh she did a great job portraying that. Book was decent written too. And it was quick paced too.
My issue are with the story, the way it escalated and then declined. In the beginning I didn't enjoy the female protagonist, like I generally wouldn't some male CEO or famous character in the and then eventually warmed to her. Fine. She was 18 and stupid and ran way without a glance back . Fine. Now she is back after 15 years be make "friends" with her ex (who she still loves very much btw). FINE.
What's not fine her coming back and making amends and wanting him back when she was the one who left because she was at her worst and wanted that happiness that she felt with Jake. She was not the only one who was broken
What's not fine is her justifying what she did was not wrong and because she was "18 ", it's okay. She not even once apologize properly for that.
What's not fucking fine is, him giving her second chance and her still keeping things from him even if she promised she wouldn't lie to him.
Honestly, This book even didn't had high angst. It was just really messy in a very frustrating was. Naomi wanting to be with Jake for felt like her wanting him for all the wrong reasons. That was a real buzz kill. What was worst was Jake giving in so easily, after all the lie and heartbreak.
And cherry on the top is no epilogue.
Final thoughts:
Would I recommend it? Hell no!
Would I re-read it? :/
Would I continue with series? Yes. They look better then this one.
Over view: Naomi(h) is a famous celebrity chef and Jake is a chief fire fighter. Both are 33, if I am not wrong. They were HS sweethearts but Naomi was the one that got away. . Now 15 years later she is back and to make amends with her long lost lover. With little twist and turn they both get there happily ever after.
My view: What I liked most about this book was, author reversing the role in matter of wealth and all the dating and stuff, which we generally see in a male protagonist. Really appreciate that and tbh she did a great job portraying that. Book was decent written too. And it was quick paced too.
My issue are with the story, the way it escalated and then declined. In the beginning I didn't enjoy the female protagonist, like I generally wouldn't some male CEO or famous character in the and then eventually warmed to her. Fine. She was 18 and stupid and ran way without a glance back . Fine. Now she is back after 15 years be make "friends" with her ex (who she still loves very much btw). FINE.
What's not fine her coming back and making amends and wanting him back when she was the one who left because she was at her worst and wanted that happiness that she felt with Jake. She was not the only one who was broken
What's not fine is her justifying what she did was not wrong and because she was "18 ", it's okay. She not even once apologize properly for that.
What's not fucking fine is, him giving her second chance and her still keeping things from him even if she promised she wouldn't lie to him.
Honestly, This book even didn't had high angst. It was just really messy in a very frustrating was. Naomi wanting to be with Jake for felt like her wanting him for all the wrong reasons. That was a real buzz kill. What was worst was Jake giving in so easily, after all the lie and heartbreak.
And cherry on the top is no epilogue.
Final thoughts:
Would I recommend it? Hell no!
Would I re-read it? :/
Would I continue with series? Yes. They look better then this one.
August 23, 2021
All Fired Up is Lili Valente’s first book in her Hometown Heat series a spinoff of her Bliss River series. Both series take place in Bliss River Ga. A small town near Atlanta. The Hometown Heat series is based around the three Whitehouse siblings Naomi, Maddie and Mick and the firefighters they fall in love with. To link the two series besides locating them in Bliss River the author introduces Ariel the female lead from the second book in the Bliss River series in a small role as a silent partner in Icings, the upscale bakery Naomi and Maddie are converting (with Mick's help) a dilapidated donut shop across the street from the firehouse into. Problem with that plot device is Ariel who is now married to the town’s police chief and pregnant with her second child is not flush with cash but Naomi Whitehouse a world-famous celebrity chef is. In fact she’s a billionaire. So Ariel’s role in this story as a silent partner/investor really doesn’t make any sense. Also, while we know that Ariel and Maddie both went to a famous French Pastry school in Paris to learn their trade we’re never told how Naomi became a world famous chef with her own television shows, lines of prepared foods and cookware? All we really know is that just turned 18 years old Naomi left home to see the world and seek her fortune leaving her high school lover and best friend Jake Hansen a Dear John letter, breaking his heart and leaving him hating her. Now here we are 15 years later and Naomi is a world class celebrity chef with a billionaire bank account.
I’ve read my share of enemies to lovers stories but I don’t know that I ever read one where one lead so vehemently despises the other. It’s been 15 years since Naomi left Bliss River and Jake. He’s been married and sadly widowed since, but he’s still holding on to an angry grudge for his first love who left him crushing his dreams of forever with her. As Naomi tells us and him, she was a kid. She made mistakes. But doesn’t she deserve for Jake to cut her some slack given she was barely eighteen and it’s been 15 years almost half their life ago? Now you could criticize Naomi for never revealing her plans to leave him and Bliss River in her rearview mirror but as we learn Naomi is a born people pleaser and has never been good at telling people things that will upset them. Still, the idea that she left Bliss River without once giving her best friend and lover a hint that she wanted to leave town to explore the world doesn’t lend a lot of credibility to the plot.
Naomi has returned home to heal after the loss of her baby in the fifth month of her pregnancy followed by her fiancée, the baby’s father abandoning her. He didn’t even attend the baby’s funeral. After seeing the world and accomplishing everything on her bucket list except putting down roots and starting a family she returns home to be with her family and start the bakery with Maddie and hopefully start her family via adoption. She sets out to try and win back Jake’s friendship if not his love by buying him in a bachelor auction intended to help pay for a new firehouse. If she wins Jake he will be forced to go on four dates over four weeks with her which will give her a chance to plead her case with the intractable man who has thus far turned his back on her whenever they see each other. Eventually her plan to wear Jake down succeeds beyond her wildest dreams and they become lovers again professing their love and dreaming about forever together. But Naomi has a secret that threatens their happily ever after. She knows Jake isn’t the forgiving type and if this secret is revealed to him it could destroy their second chance at love forever.
Being the first book in the series we of course get a brief overview of the two other Whitehouse siblings Maddie and Mitch and the two firefighters they will fall in love with Faith and Jamieson. Bonus points for Ariel and Lark getting cameos as well as the author mentioning the town of Happy Cat the location for an hilarious series the author co-wrote with one of my favorite authors. Good story with likable characters (although I thought Jake could be a real ass at times) and plenty of steam.
I’ve read my share of enemies to lovers stories but I don’t know that I ever read one where one lead so vehemently despises the other. It’s been 15 years since Naomi left Bliss River and Jake. He’s been married and sadly widowed since, but he’s still holding on to an angry grudge for his first love who left him crushing his dreams of forever with her. As Naomi tells us and him, she was a kid. She made mistakes. But doesn’t she deserve for Jake to cut her some slack given she was barely eighteen and it’s been 15 years almost half their life ago? Now you could criticize Naomi for never revealing her plans to leave him and Bliss River in her rearview mirror but as we learn Naomi is a born people pleaser and has never been good at telling people things that will upset them. Still, the idea that she left Bliss River without once giving her best friend and lover a hint that she wanted to leave town to explore the world doesn’t lend a lot of credibility to the plot.
Naomi has returned home to heal after the loss of her baby in the fifth month of her pregnancy followed by her fiancée, the baby’s father abandoning her. He didn’t even attend the baby’s funeral. After seeing the world and accomplishing everything on her bucket list except putting down roots and starting a family she returns home to be with her family and start the bakery with Maddie and hopefully start her family via adoption. She sets out to try and win back Jake’s friendship if not his love by buying him in a bachelor auction intended to help pay for a new firehouse. If she wins Jake he will be forced to go on four dates over four weeks with her which will give her a chance to plead her case with the intractable man who has thus far turned his back on her whenever they see each other. Eventually her plan to wear Jake down succeeds beyond her wildest dreams and they become lovers again professing their love and dreaming about forever together. But Naomi has a secret that threatens their happily ever after. She knows Jake isn’t the forgiving type and if this secret is revealed to him it could destroy their second chance at love forever.
Being the first book in the series we of course get a brief overview of the two other Whitehouse siblings Maddie and Mitch and the two firefighters they will fall in love with Faith and Jamieson. Bonus points for Ariel and Lark getting cameos as well as the author mentioning the town of Happy Cat the location for an hilarious series the author co-wrote with one of my favorite authors. Good story with likable characters (although I thought Jake could be a real ass at times) and plenty of steam.
July 25, 2021
Jake Hansen was her high school sweetheart; the person who taught her how to love.
Naomi and her sister have returned to start a business together. Maddie’s husband left her for a man and Naomi’s baby Grace, was premature and only lived for a few hours. Naomi’s fiancé didn’t deem it worthy to attend his daughter’s funeral.
Naomi realises that Jake and herself will be seeing a lot of each other and considers perhaps they could start over or just…start being friends again, but as grown-ups understanding that they’re not the same people as they were, fifteen years ago as teenagers. Jake was her one true love. She left him behind to realise her dreams and they haven’t spoken since. With little more than bitterness, heartbreak, and secrets, they soon find themselves reverting to old feelings. The secrets Naomi has kept could destroy the fragile balance.
Jake never knew that she’d spent her last night in town in bed with his brother.
Nothing happened. Jamison and herself had never had those feelings for one another, but they’d both been drunk that neither of them could remember how they ended up in bed together.
When she awakened, all her clothes were on and her lipstick intact. Neither one remembered anything happening.
She’d asked Jamison to meet her to give him the good-bye letter. When he realised that she was planned to leave without telling Jake good-bye, they’d fought. Fighting morphed into complaining about how much they both wanted out of Bliss River—Jamison was even more determined to leave than she was—which led to tossing back shots of cheap vodka.
Not long after, everything got fuzzy.
She was barely eighteen; Jamison was sixteen.
When they woke up the next morning—they’d been horrified that they’d spent the night together, even though apparently nothing had happened. They both agreed it was best not to tell Jake. Ever. No matter what. They both loved him too much to hurt him like that, and he would have been hurt. Jake’s got a possessive streak, and a jealous one.
Sometime in the past fifteen years Jamison changed his mind about keeping his mouth shut.
“Jamison, wait, do you know who has Jake’s truck? I just saw…”
“You told him,” I say, my voice rough.
“Why? Why did you do that? What were you thinking?”
“I thought he deserved the truth,” Jamison mumbles.
“What truth? We don’t even know what happened that night, Jamison. We were stupid drunk kids.”
Confessing to Jake about what happened with Jamison fifteen years ago might ease her guilty feelings, but it will only hurt him and put their relationship in jeopardy.
A formulaic plot in keeping the central characters secrets to the end chapters of the novel. This is a formula authors have used throughout time to entice readers. It is a dated, overused ploy that deters the story.
Naomi and her sister have returned to start a business together. Maddie’s husband left her for a man and Naomi’s baby Grace, was premature and only lived for a few hours. Naomi’s fiancé didn’t deem it worthy to attend his daughter’s funeral.
Naomi realises that Jake and herself will be seeing a lot of each other and considers perhaps they could start over or just…start being friends again, but as grown-ups understanding that they’re not the same people as they were, fifteen years ago as teenagers. Jake was her one true love. She left him behind to realise her dreams and they haven’t spoken since. With little more than bitterness, heartbreak, and secrets, they soon find themselves reverting to old feelings. The secrets Naomi has kept could destroy the fragile balance.
Jake never knew that she’d spent her last night in town in bed with his brother.
Nothing happened. Jamison and herself had never had those feelings for one another, but they’d both been drunk that neither of them could remember how they ended up in bed together.
When she awakened, all her clothes were on and her lipstick intact. Neither one remembered anything happening.
She’d asked Jamison to meet her to give him the good-bye letter. When he realised that she was planned to leave without telling Jake good-bye, they’d fought. Fighting morphed into complaining about how much they both wanted out of Bliss River—Jamison was even more determined to leave than she was—which led to tossing back shots of cheap vodka.
Not long after, everything got fuzzy.
She was barely eighteen; Jamison was sixteen.
When they woke up the next morning—they’d been horrified that they’d spent the night together, even though apparently nothing had happened. They both agreed it was best not to tell Jake. Ever. No matter what. They both loved him too much to hurt him like that, and he would have been hurt. Jake’s got a possessive streak, and a jealous one.
Sometime in the past fifteen years Jamison changed his mind about keeping his mouth shut.
“Jamison, wait, do you know who has Jake’s truck? I just saw…”
“You told him,” I say, my voice rough.
“Why? Why did you do that? What were you thinking?”
“I thought he deserved the truth,” Jamison mumbles.
“What truth? We don’t even know what happened that night, Jamison. We were stupid drunk kids.”
Confessing to Jake about what happened with Jamison fifteen years ago might ease her guilty feelings, but it will only hurt him and put their relationship in jeopardy.
A formulaic plot in keeping the central characters secrets to the end chapters of the novel. This is a formula authors have used throughout time to entice readers. It is a dated, overused ploy that deters the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2021
I love Lili Valente's small town romances. They always make me feel as if I am a part of them; always make me feel as if I am just catching up with new and old friends.
All Fired Up, is the first book in the Hometown Heat Series, that brings us back to Bliss River. Naomi and Jake were high school sweetheart - each other's first love, so when Naomi leaves Bliss River to follow her dreams, she leaves Jake broken hearted. FIFTEEN YEARS later....Naomi has accomplished more she ever dreamed of, but when tragedy strikes, Naomi finds herself back home; back in the presence of the one man who can't seem to forgive her. Jake had reservations about Naomi. He still harbored feelings of resentment and hurt, but as he is forced to spend some time with her, those feelings being to disappear and old feelings resurface.
I enjoyed this book so much. In the time they were apart, Jake and Naomi both suffered traumatic loss which is something that changed them in a way that was relatable. I honestly feel they needed that time apart in order to grow as individuals. Naomi needed to explore her dreams and staying in a small town wasn't going to give her the same opportunities. Their time apart helped Naomi and are grow into the person they were supposed to be.
All Fired up was a sweet second chance romance with a lot of steam. The chemistry between Naomi and Jake was stronger than it had ever been. I love that we got to catch up with the March sisters while getting to know the Whitehouse siblings.
I both read the e-book and listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Lili Valente and Teddy Hamilton, who both did a fantastic job bringing Naomi and Jake to life. Lili does such an amazing job narrating her own characters. She does so in such a way that makes you feel like you are really listening to a character and not Lili. She gives each of her characters their own voice and their own personalities and I love it. Teddy Hamilton can narrate the dictionary and he will do so in a way that will give each word heir own individuality. The two of them couldn't have bene more perfect as Naomi and Jake.
I am so happy Lili brought us back to Bliss River. I cannot wait for Faith's story.
All Fired Up, is the first book in the Hometown Heat Series, that brings us back to Bliss River. Naomi and Jake were high school sweetheart - each other's first love, so when Naomi leaves Bliss River to follow her dreams, she leaves Jake broken hearted. FIFTEEN YEARS later....Naomi has accomplished more she ever dreamed of, but when tragedy strikes, Naomi finds herself back home; back in the presence of the one man who can't seem to forgive her. Jake had reservations about Naomi. He still harbored feelings of resentment and hurt, but as he is forced to spend some time with her, those feelings being to disappear and old feelings resurface.
I enjoyed this book so much. In the time they were apart, Jake and Naomi both suffered traumatic loss which is something that changed them in a way that was relatable. I honestly feel they needed that time apart in order to grow as individuals. Naomi needed to explore her dreams and staying in a small town wasn't going to give her the same opportunities. Their time apart helped Naomi and are grow into the person they were supposed to be.
All Fired up was a sweet second chance romance with a lot of steam. The chemistry between Naomi and Jake was stronger than it had ever been. I love that we got to catch up with the March sisters while getting to know the Whitehouse siblings.
I both read the e-book and listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Lili Valente and Teddy Hamilton, who both did a fantastic job bringing Naomi and Jake to life. Lili does such an amazing job narrating her own characters. She does so in such a way that makes you feel like you are really listening to a character and not Lili. She gives each of her characters their own voice and their own personalities and I love it. Teddy Hamilton can narrate the dictionary and he will do so in a way that will give each word heir own individuality. The two of them couldn't have bene more perfect as Naomi and Jake.
I am so happy Lili brought us back to Bliss River. I cannot wait for Faith's story.
July 12, 2021
All Fired Up is the first book in the Hometown Heat series by Lili Valente. It’s a spin-off to Bliss River series and so happy that it is continuing with new characters with cameos from former ones. There is just something about small-towns and romance that always pulls me in.
Naomi left Bliss River and her first love fifteen years ago. Since then she has lived her career dreams and at one point, she thought she found love again. Her life changed eight months ago, and now she was back in her hometown. She needed a fresh start in the one town she found safety. The one town who held her heart. She hoped to be friends with Jake again but he didn’t want anything to do with her so she won him in the Hunk-For-A-Month charity auction. She wanted to prove to him how sorry she was about how she ended their relationship. To show him that she wasn’t that girl anymore. Nothing else. That was until her body tingled when he was near. How all her feelings were still there coming back to the surface.
Jake didn’t want her here. He might have to see her for the next four Friday nights but he wouldn’t have fun. He can’t let her back in. He has gone through enough and doesn’t want to be made a fool but her again. He knew she wasn’t the same girl. Not like he wouldn’t notice how beautiful and sassy the woman was and that was the problem. He wanted her. He probably always will and that’s exactly why he needed her away from him. It’s four nights. Easy, right?
Sure.
God, I love small-town romance especially when there is a second chance one thrown in! You can definitely feel the passion between these two. They are so fun, beautiful and sexy! I can’t wait for the next book.
Quotes:
I might hate Naomi, but I also want to touch her- always have, and probably always will.
Naomi didn’t just kiss with her lips; she kissed with her soul.
Jake is good and kind, but there’s something wild locked away inside him, something primal that I’m not sure I could handle if it were completely unleashed.
Naomi left Bliss River and her first love fifteen years ago. Since then she has lived her career dreams and at one point, she thought she found love again. Her life changed eight months ago, and now she was back in her hometown. She needed a fresh start in the one town she found safety. The one town who held her heart. She hoped to be friends with Jake again but he didn’t want anything to do with her so she won him in the Hunk-For-A-Month charity auction. She wanted to prove to him how sorry she was about how she ended their relationship. To show him that she wasn’t that girl anymore. Nothing else. That was until her body tingled when he was near. How all her feelings were still there coming back to the surface.
Jake didn’t want her here. He might have to see her for the next four Friday nights but he wouldn’t have fun. He can’t let her back in. He has gone through enough and doesn’t want to be made a fool but her again. He knew she wasn’t the same girl. Not like he wouldn’t notice how beautiful and sassy the woman was and that was the problem. He wanted her. He probably always will and that’s exactly why he needed her away from him. It’s four nights. Easy, right?
Sure.
God, I love small-town romance especially when there is a second chance one thrown in! You can definitely feel the passion between these two. They are so fun, beautiful and sexy! I can’t wait for the next book.
Quotes:
I might hate Naomi, but I also want to touch her- always have, and probably always will.
Naomi didn’t just kiss with her lips; she kissed with her soul.
Jake is good and kind, but there’s something wild locked away inside him, something primal that I’m not sure I could handle if it were completely unleashed.
July 4, 2021
I am always a sucker for a story about a firefighters. So that, coupled with the fact that Lili Valente is always a must read for me, I knew All Fired Up was going to be amazing…and I was right.
Jake and Naomi were high school sweethearts and their connection had always been strong. But when Naomi left Bliss River 15 years ago in search of a different life, she left Jake with a broken heart. But when she suffers a tragic loss and grows tired of the life she now lives, Naomi realizes her heart remains in her hometown with the only man she ever truly loved. But when she returns home with the deep hope of mending the broken relationship she left behind, she discovers Jake has built up walls around his heart and refuses to let Naomi back in.
Unwilling to accept defeat, Naomi takes matters into her own hands which ultimately forces Jake to look back at what they shared so long ago. Now as their love begins to rekindle, the walls begin to crumble opening up Jake’s soul to the possibility of a second chance. Can he let go of the past and find the courage to trust Naomi with his heart again and allow them both a chance of a new life together filled with love and happiness?
All Fired Up is a captivating love story. I really loved Jake and Naomi and was immediately immersed in their story. Despite the years that have passed, the sparks of love between them reignited their souls letting them both rediscover the love that had always been in their hearts. As always, Lili Valente has a magical way of writing her characters and developing a story that keeps me enthralled making me feel like I am a part of their lives to the point where I just can’t put down my IPad until I reach the end. Ms. Valente also treats us to a little snippet of her next release in this series, and I can’t wait to read Faith and Mick’s story.
Jake and Naomi were high school sweethearts and their connection had always been strong. But when Naomi left Bliss River 15 years ago in search of a different life, she left Jake with a broken heart. But when she suffers a tragic loss and grows tired of the life she now lives, Naomi realizes her heart remains in her hometown with the only man she ever truly loved. But when she returns home with the deep hope of mending the broken relationship she left behind, she discovers Jake has built up walls around his heart and refuses to let Naomi back in.
Unwilling to accept defeat, Naomi takes matters into her own hands which ultimately forces Jake to look back at what they shared so long ago. Now as their love begins to rekindle, the walls begin to crumble opening up Jake’s soul to the possibility of a second chance. Can he let go of the past and find the courage to trust Naomi with his heart again and allow them both a chance of a new life together filled with love and happiness?
All Fired Up is a captivating love story. I really loved Jake and Naomi and was immediately immersed in their story. Despite the years that have passed, the sparks of love between them reignited their souls letting them both rediscover the love that had always been in their hearts. As always, Lili Valente has a magical way of writing her characters and developing a story that keeps me enthralled making me feel like I am a part of their lives to the point where I just can’t put down my IPad until I reach the end. Ms. Valente also treats us to a little snippet of her next release in this series, and I can’t wait to read Faith and Mick’s story.
July 20, 2021
𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻. 𝗜 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁…𝗵𝗶𝗺. 𝗝𝗮𝗸𝗲.
🍪
Let’s talk about “All Fired Up by Lili Valente”, first book in the Hometown Heat series.
🚒
Firefighters. Lots of them in an auction for four dates! Is there a better way to start a book than this? Oh of course there is, when they walk the stage without shirt, in the best Magic Mike style. Sigh. They were so real in my mind! Lili knocked down the park with this book and I’m so excited to read the other two to come!
After 15 years away and with a painful recent past, Naomi is back at town we’re she grow up and ready to create a new life with her family. Together with her sister Maddie they are opening a bakery across the street from the fire house where Jake, her former high school sweetheart, is now the captain. So many years ago, she left with a Dear John letter to Jake and a broken heart, now she just wants his forgiveness.
Except he wants no part on it. Jake has also been through a lot in the past two years and “the one who got away” has no place in his life anymore. I loved him so much and I could totally understand his hesitation, which provided a lot of good banter and some sassy conversations with Naomi. But once they finally give a second chance at their love, this get steamy and so good! They are so perfect for each other, but sometimes secrets from the past comes knocking on the door and has potencial to ruin everything.
This slow burn and yet fast paced, small town story totally stole my heart! I swooned hard over the ending and I’ll just going to leave like that. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and Lili was also the perfect voice for Naomi, I had so much fun with this. The Whitehorse siblings, Naomi, Maddie and Mick have a great dynamics and I can’t wait to read their stories too!
🍪
Let’s talk about “All Fired Up by Lili Valente”, first book in the Hometown Heat series.
🚒
Firefighters. Lots of them in an auction for four dates! Is there a better way to start a book than this? Oh of course there is, when they walk the stage without shirt, in the best Magic Mike style. Sigh. They were so real in my mind! Lili knocked down the park with this book and I’m so excited to read the other two to come!
After 15 years away and with a painful recent past, Naomi is back at town we’re she grow up and ready to create a new life with her family. Together with her sister Maddie they are opening a bakery across the street from the fire house where Jake, her former high school sweetheart, is now the captain. So many years ago, she left with a Dear John letter to Jake and a broken heart, now she just wants his forgiveness.
Except he wants no part on it. Jake has also been through a lot in the past two years and “the one who got away” has no place in his life anymore. I loved him so much and I could totally understand his hesitation, which provided a lot of good banter and some sassy conversations with Naomi. But once they finally give a second chance at their love, this get steamy and so good! They are so perfect for each other, but sometimes secrets from the past comes knocking on the door and has potencial to ruin everything.
This slow burn and yet fast paced, small town story totally stole my heart! I swooned hard over the ending and I’ll just going to leave like that. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and Lili was also the perfect voice for Naomi, I had so much fun with this. The Whitehorse siblings, Naomi, Maddie and Mick have a great dynamics and I can’t wait to read their stories too!
July 24, 2021
All Fired Up is a sweet, charming, fun, sexy second chance romance with a few heart wrenchers but a swoony ending.
Lili Valente´s writing keeps you engaged, from the fun quirky dialogue to the heated sexy time down to the emotional heartachey moments. The reading and/or listening is effortless, it just flows easily, and it is written in a way that you can imagine yourself being there with the characters and who can resist sexy firefighters, right?
Naomi and Jake have been high school sweethearts and were each other’s first. Jake thought they would be each other´s forever but Naomi wanted to see the world and left.
15 years later they meet again, Naomi returning to her hometown Bliss River to recover from a tragic loss and trying to build up her life again. Jake himself suffered a loss too and tries to get on with his life. Naomi never forgot Jake and tries once more to win back their friendship. She tries to achieve that by bidding on him at a charity auction, which means he must spend time with her on 4 consecutive Friday´s. Although Jake is not the type to forgive and forget, Naomi is determined to win him back but has yet a secret to tell him. Will sparks fly again and ignite the fire they once had?
I love that Lili Valente narrates her own books and you can feel that she knows the characters and portrays them with the same passion, fun and emotions that she puts into her writing. I am becoming more and more of a Teddy Hamilton fan, and he just does grouchy so well. He just brings the pain and anguish that Jake felt towards Naomi across so perfectly. My eyes and ears were perfectly entertained and my heart is full.
I am excited for Faith´s story, who we get to know in this book as the only female firefighter in Bliss River. She is all tough and snark and love her already. Her story continues in Catching Fire.
Lili Valente´s writing keeps you engaged, from the fun quirky dialogue to the heated sexy time down to the emotional heartachey moments. The reading and/or listening is effortless, it just flows easily, and it is written in a way that you can imagine yourself being there with the characters and who can resist sexy firefighters, right?
Naomi and Jake have been high school sweethearts and were each other’s first. Jake thought they would be each other´s forever but Naomi wanted to see the world and left.
15 years later they meet again, Naomi returning to her hometown Bliss River to recover from a tragic loss and trying to build up her life again. Jake himself suffered a loss too and tries to get on with his life. Naomi never forgot Jake and tries once more to win back their friendship. She tries to achieve that by bidding on him at a charity auction, which means he must spend time with her on 4 consecutive Friday´s. Although Jake is not the type to forgive and forget, Naomi is determined to win him back but has yet a secret to tell him. Will sparks fly again and ignite the fire they once had?
I love that Lili Valente narrates her own books and you can feel that she knows the characters and portrays them with the same passion, fun and emotions that she puts into her writing. I am becoming more and more of a Teddy Hamilton fan, and he just does grouchy so well. He just brings the pain and anguish that Jake felt towards Naomi across so perfectly. My eyes and ears were perfectly entertained and my heart is full.
I am excited for Faith´s story, who we get to know in this book as the only female firefighter in Bliss River. She is all tough and snark and love her already. Her story continues in Catching Fire.
Read
July 27, 2021As high school sweethearts, Jake and Naomi were inseparable in their small town. But Naomi fears she could lose her chance at success if she limited herself by staying local. She makes the tough decision to head to the big city where she eventually makes a highly successful life for herself. Left in the wake of her decision was Jake—the recipient of Naomi’s Dear John letter. Jake was devastated, but he moved on without Naomi, and had his own professional success as the town’s youngest fire chief.
Having a popular cooking and lifestyle show, Naomi has all the success and money to last a few lifetimes, but at this stage, it isn’t enough. So, she quits her job and moves back home to her family and friends. She also wants a second chance with Jake, but he’s having none of it. Naomi plans to bid on Jake at a fundraising auction and wins 4 weekly dates with the handsome fire chief. She hopes that will be enough time to Jake to thaw to her, and see that they deserve another shot at love. What Naomi didn’t know was that Jake has his own baggage that keeps him from moving forward. As the dates proceed, Jake and Naomi get to know each other all over again, and slowly they come to see the other as not the same person they were as teenagers.
Jake and Naomi have a beautiful second chance story…eventually. I loved how they came to see each other as flawed, but still wonderful adults. It was almost like they needed the time apart to keep them from being stuck as the teenagers in love they used to be. They both experienced life, and came back with a bigger appreciation for one another, and the love they still had, but matured in the years they were apart.
I’m a city mouse, and don’t see that changing anytime soon, but I want to visit all the small towns that Lili Valente has created in her books.
The audiobook was wonderful with Lili and Teddy Hamilton narrating.
Having a popular cooking and lifestyle show, Naomi has all the success and money to last a few lifetimes, but at this stage, it isn’t enough. So, she quits her job and moves back home to her family and friends. She also wants a second chance with Jake, but he’s having none of it. Naomi plans to bid on Jake at a fundraising auction and wins 4 weekly dates with the handsome fire chief. She hopes that will be enough time to Jake to thaw to her, and see that they deserve another shot at love. What Naomi didn’t know was that Jake has his own baggage that keeps him from moving forward. As the dates proceed, Jake and Naomi get to know each other all over again, and slowly they come to see the other as not the same person they were as teenagers.
Jake and Naomi have a beautiful second chance story…eventually. I loved how they came to see each other as flawed, but still wonderful adults. It was almost like they needed the time apart to keep them from being stuck as the teenagers in love they used to be. They both experienced life, and came back with a bigger appreciation for one another, and the love they still had, but matured in the years they were apart.
I’m a city mouse, and don’t see that changing anytime soon, but I want to visit all the small towns that Lili Valente has created in her books.
The audiobook was wonderful with Lili and Teddy Hamilton narrating.
July 27, 2021
As high school sweethearts, Jake and Naomi were inseparable in their small town. But Naomi fears she could lose her chance at success if she limited herself by staying local. She makes the tough decision to head to the big city where she eventually makes a highly successful life for herself. Left in the wake of her decision was Jake—the recipient of Naomi’s Dear John letter. Jake was devastated, but he moved on without Naomi, and had his own professional success as the town’s youngest fire chief.
Having a popular cooking and lifestyle show, Naomi has all the success and money to last a few lifetimes, but at this stage, it isn’t enough. So, she quits her job and moves back home to her family and friends. She also wants a second chance with Jake, but he’s having none of it. Naomi plans to bid on Jake at a fundraising auction and wins 4 weekly dates with the handsome fire chief. She hopes that will be enough time to Jake to thaw to her, and see that they deserve another shot at love. What Naomi didn’t know was that Jake has his own baggage that keeps him from moving forward. As the dates proceed, Jake and Naomi get to know each other all over again, and slowly they come to see the other as not the same person they were as teenagers.
Jake and Naomi have a beautiful second chance story…eventually. I loved how they came to see each other as flawed, but still wonderful adults. It was almost like they needed the time apart to keep them from being stuck as the teenagers in love they used to be. They both experienced life, and came back with a bigger appreciation for one another, and the love they still had, but matured in the years they were apart.
I’m a city mouse, and don’t see that changing anytime soon, but I want to visit all the small towns that Lili Valente has created in her books.
The audiobook was wonderful with Lili and Teddy Hamilton narrating.
Having a popular cooking and lifestyle show, Naomi has all the success and money to last a few lifetimes, but at this stage, it isn’t enough. So, she quits her job and moves back home to her family and friends. She also wants a second chance with Jake, but he’s having none of it. Naomi plans to bid on Jake at a fundraising auction and wins 4 weekly dates with the handsome fire chief. She hopes that will be enough time to Jake to thaw to her, and see that they deserve another shot at love. What Naomi didn’t know was that Jake has his own baggage that keeps him from moving forward. As the dates proceed, Jake and Naomi get to know each other all over again, and slowly they come to see the other as not the same person they were as teenagers.
Jake and Naomi have a beautiful second chance story…eventually. I loved how they came to see each other as flawed, but still wonderful adults. It was almost like they needed the time apart to keep them from being stuck as the teenagers in love they used to be. They both experienced life, and came back with a bigger appreciation for one another, and the love they still had, but matured in the years they were apart.
I’m a city mouse, and don’t see that changing anytime soon, but I want to visit all the small towns that Lili Valente has created in her books.
The audiobook was wonderful with Lili and Teddy Hamilton narrating.
July 16, 2021
There’s nothing hotter than a firefighter romance, am I right?! There is if he’s a stoic, brooding widower who’s ex is back in town after 15 years, hoping for at least friendship but really praying for a second chance. That right there is hotter than a five-alarm fire. And that’s what I got…and more…from book one of Lili Valente’s new small town series.
Naomi has made a name for herself since breaking Jake’s heart when they were eighteen years old and sneaking out of town with nothing but a Dear John letter left behind. She’s back now, starting up a bakery with her sister and a friend. She wants to patch up that mistake and hopefully get Jake to understand why she left. I love her first move out of the gate!
Jake is less than forgiving, though, so she’s got her work cut out for her. Fifteen years is a long time to hold a grudge but Jake has that strapped to his back like a oxygen tank. But half the fun is the journey, isn’t it. Of course, there may be a wee little secret she’s keeping from him. And we all know secrets have a way of being revealed at the most in opportune time…
Loved this couple, since second chance and friends to lovers are my romance-loving groove. Naomi is honest and real, Jake has that good guy heart buried under layers of hurt and the cast of secondary characters and support, but lots of potential for their own stories to be told. From plot to dialogue, it’s everything I expect from Ms. Valente…and she always delivers. I need more than five stars to give to this book!
Naomi has made a name for herself since breaking Jake’s heart when they were eighteen years old and sneaking out of town with nothing but a Dear John letter left behind. She’s back now, starting up a bakery with her sister and a friend. She wants to patch up that mistake and hopefully get Jake to understand why she left. I love her first move out of the gate!
Jake is less than forgiving, though, so she’s got her work cut out for her. Fifteen years is a long time to hold a grudge but Jake has that strapped to his back like a oxygen tank. But half the fun is the journey, isn’t it. Of course, there may be a wee little secret she’s keeping from him. And we all know secrets have a way of being revealed at the most in opportune time…
Loved this couple, since second chance and friends to lovers are my romance-loving groove. Naomi is honest and real, Jake has that good guy heart buried under layers of hurt and the cast of secondary characters and support, but lots of potential for their own stories to be told. From plot to dialogue, it’s everything I expect from Ms. Valente…and she always delivers. I need more than five stars to give to this book!
July 16, 2021
Give me a second chance romance set in a small town, and I am a happy reader. Add a favorite author who does these things so well to the mix and it's a hands-down winner all the way.
I really enjoyed the Bliss River series by Lili Valente, and was super-excited to see that ALL FIRED UP, the first book in her Hometown Heat series, is a spin-off of these books. Second chances are never without angst, but I couldn't help but hope that Naomi and Jake would be able to find their way back to each other, because they are both so likable and truly "get" each other in the way that only true soulmates do. The sizzling chemistry is still there between them, and once they make the real effort to open up to each other, it's mostly smooth sailing.
As is usual in Lili's books, there are plenty of great supporting characters that totally deserve stories of their own, and Lili does a sweet job of setting things up for that to happen. Since seeing folks get their HEA is pretty much why I read romance, I am all in for any and all books in this series that are coming our way. ALL FIRED UP is an infinitely readable and engaging read, and an easy recommendation for book lovers that enjoy both sizzle and sweet in their books. Make time for a visit to Bliss River; you'll be so glad that you did. ❤️
July 17, 2021
All Fired Up is a thoroughly enjoyable and all-around wonderful small town, second chance romance.
Lili Valente always crafts stories with heart and heat, and she gives us characters that we really get to know and root for. Jake and Naomi were high school sweethearts, and Naomi broke Jake's heart when she left town a decade ago. Now that she's back in town, he does everything he can to deny the old feelings that resurfaced. Naomi left because she was looking for "more" way back when, but now that she's had some experience, she understands that the more she was looking for doesn't mean that much if she doesn't have the man she truly loves. Both characters are hurting, and I love that their rekindled relationship gives them what they need to move past their hurts and find some happiness.
The audio, narrated by Lili Valente and Teddy Hamilton, is an emotional listen with some humor and tons of heart. Teddy really expresses how Jake is torn between wanting to be happy and wanting to keep Naomi at arm's length. Lili, as the writer and the narrator, really expresses the emotional turmoil and growth that Naomi experiences. They bring such heart and passion to the words.
Plus we get some cameos by characters from Lili's Bliss River series. It's always great to reunite with characters that seem like old friends.
Note: this is a reboot of the Hometown Heroes series.
Lili Valente always crafts stories with heart and heat, and she gives us characters that we really get to know and root for. Jake and Naomi were high school sweethearts, and Naomi broke Jake's heart when she left town a decade ago. Now that she's back in town, he does everything he can to deny the old feelings that resurfaced. Naomi left because she was looking for "more" way back when, but now that she's had some experience, she understands that the more she was looking for doesn't mean that much if she doesn't have the man she truly loves. Both characters are hurting, and I love that their rekindled relationship gives them what they need to move past their hurts and find some happiness.
The audio, narrated by Lili Valente and Teddy Hamilton, is an emotional listen with some humor and tons of heart. Teddy really expresses how Jake is torn between wanting to be happy and wanting to keep Naomi at arm's length. Lili, as the writer and the narrator, really expresses the emotional turmoil and growth that Naomi experiences. They bring such heart and passion to the words.
Plus we get some cameos by characters from Lili's Bliss River series. It's always great to reunite with characters that seem like old friends.
Note: this is a reboot of the Hometown Heroes series.
September 3, 2021
"Audiobook review*
This was an adorable story ☺️ It was sweet but still brought some sexy heat and delicious dirty talk 😉 Not super high in the steam but I very much enjoyed what was there. This was a second chance, small town romance and was a fairly short story (about 5 1/2 hours for audio). Jake and Naomi were great characters and I hope we get to learn a little more about them as side characters in the other books in the series. The intimacy between the MC's escalated very quickly, but it still worked with the story. I was a little thrown by the switch to a side character's POV in the second half (only for one chapter) but it turned out to be an interesting way to introduce the MC's for the next book in the series. Lili's writing is really funny and she has so many great lines. #scandalizedbaptists and #cannibalbushguide are just a couple of my favourites. And seriously, someone needs to stitch #lesstalkmorenaked on a pillow 🤣❤️
I really enjoyed the narration in this. Lili is funny and does well with banter. I really like her narrating her own stories because that is how the characters sound to me when I eyeball read her work. I love her style (it's so very her - if you've seen her SM videos you'll know what I'm talking about), her male voice is subtle and she seems like a fun and energetic person which comes through in her narration. Teddy did a great job. I love that we get some angry, dirty talking Teddy in this! He brings the🔥for sure 🥰
I'm really excited to continue the series (actually already starting book 2!)
3/5 story, 4/5 narration
❤️🎧❤️
This was an adorable story ☺️ It was sweet but still brought some sexy heat and delicious dirty talk 😉 Not super high in the steam but I very much enjoyed what was there. This was a second chance, small town romance and was a fairly short story (about 5 1/2 hours for audio). Jake and Naomi were great characters and I hope we get to learn a little more about them as side characters in the other books in the series. The intimacy between the MC's escalated very quickly, but it still worked with the story. I was a little thrown by the switch to a side character's POV in the second half (only for one chapter) but it turned out to be an interesting way to introduce the MC's for the next book in the series. Lili's writing is really funny and she has so many great lines. #scandalizedbaptists and #cannibalbushguide are just a couple of my favourites. And seriously, someone needs to stitch #lesstalkmorenaked on a pillow 🤣❤️
I really enjoyed the narration in this. Lili is funny and does well with banter. I really like her narrating her own stories because that is how the characters sound to me when I eyeball read her work. I love her style (it's so very her - if you've seen her SM videos you'll know what I'm talking about), her male voice is subtle and she seems like a fun and energetic person which comes through in her narration. Teddy did a great job. I love that we get some angry, dirty talking Teddy in this! He brings the🔥for sure 🥰
I'm really excited to continue the series (actually already starting book 2!)
3/5 story, 4/5 narration
❤️🎧❤️
July 10, 2021
I love a good second chance romance, and the more obstacles to overcome, the better. Jake and Naomi were high school sweethearts. But Naomi decided she wanted more, so she left town quietly, with Jake having nothing more than a Dear John letter delivered by his brother. (Not Naomi’s finest hour.)
More than a decade later, with fame, fortune, and unimaginable heartbreak under her belt, Naomi returns home to Bliss River to open a bakery with her sister and best friend. A bakery across the street from the fire house and her one true love, Captain Jake Hansen.
Although it's clear Jake has no interest in rekindling anything with Naomi, she hopes they can at least be friends. Just when it looks like there may be something real between them, secrets come out that have Jake questioning everything.
Full of steam, angst, forgiveness and second chances, this full-of-feels read captivated me with every word. Bliss River is a delightful small town, and with the nod to Happy Cat, especially, I would move there in a heartbeat. Fun but heartfelt, this charming, phenomenal read will bewitch you from the first page to the last, leaving you with a smile on your face and a happy sign in your heart.
More than a decade later, with fame, fortune, and unimaginable heartbreak under her belt, Naomi returns home to Bliss River to open a bakery with her sister and best friend. A bakery across the street from the fire house and her one true love, Captain Jake Hansen.
Although it's clear Jake has no interest in rekindling anything with Naomi, she hopes they can at least be friends. Just when it looks like there may be something real between them, secrets come out that have Jake questioning everything.
Full of steam, angst, forgiveness and second chances, this full-of-feels read captivated me with every word. Bliss River is a delightful small town, and with the nod to Happy Cat, especially, I would move there in a heartbeat. Fun but heartfelt, this charming, phenomenal read will bewitch you from the first page to the last, leaving you with a smile on your face and a happy sign in your heart.
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