Fire Boy: A Pine Lodge Tale

by Kate Courtright

A year after the cataclysmic breakup of her engagement to long-time boyfriend Alan, twenty-seven-year old Heidi Pfeiffer is tired of doing of doing the walk of shame in her small upstate New York town. It is time for a fresh start, which is why she finds herself driving one dark and stormy night to Pine Lodge, an old-fashioned Adirondack resort, to begin a job as the new cook. Unfortunately, she starts right off on the wrong foot with Doug Barrett, the resort’s brooding “fire boy,” and Janet, the head waitress with a big chip on her shoulder and a nose for ferreting out gossip. It turns out Heidi’s not the only one with a guilty past and desperate need to start over. How much is she willing to risk her still wounded heart on her attractive but mysterious colleague, this fire boy, whose secrets may be even more troubling than her own?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

58 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 24, 2020

About the author

Kate Courtright has found joy in stories her entire life. A romantic at heart, she loves reading stories that make her laugh and cry and believe in the power of love to change people’s lives. She loves literary and genre fiction and has a particular fondness for romance. She wrote her first story, about Cinderella eating spaghetti, when she was seven years old, and has been writing in one form or another ever since. She lives with her family in New York City and enjoys escaping to small towns and inviting bodies of water whenever she can.

Reviews

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author , it definitely makes me want to read more!

It is a book full of second chances both at love and life. The characters that feature in it are great to read about except of course the one person (those who have read it will know which one!) .The main character is Heidi , she is a lovely character to read about and one that you would want to be friends with , after getting out of an unhappy controlling relationship she takes up a job to be a chef at pine Lodge and it doesn't quite go as she expected!

For a short book (58 pages) it packs a lot into it and I definitely want to read more about the characters. The book is fast paced and flows easily throughout. Loved reading it!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and this is my honest review.

[Roma Cordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful read. The title alone grabbed my attention. It has a whole lot of heart, sweet romance, intrigue and much more. It keeps you reading until the very end. It’s a short story but I wanted more! I absolutely loved it. And highly recommend it to anyone.

[Tiffany Guarino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short stories are great but this one had too many loose ends. Just when I started to feel the chemistry between the main characters, it ended. Disappointing.

[Literature and Leaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*

4.9 Stars rounded up 🌟

Uhhh what?!! A short story that I love?! I’m sitting here in shock. Typically I avoid short stories because I never finish them satisfied. I’ve always viewed them as junk food. Nothing deeply satisfying or sustaining. Usually in the short span of pages there isn’t time for connection…to anything! But this? Wow. I was pulled in immediately. The connection between characters, atmosphere, and storyline were done so well. The writing style made for such an immersive read. I loved it. To gain such believable depth and progression in a story without it feeling rushed or like an information dump is pure talent.

The only CON for me was wanting to get in Doug’s head a little!

Overall I loved it. I was left wanting more of their story, but it was also a satisfying read! Recommend!

[Krystle Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

Fire Boy was a cute short story written by Kate Courtright. Heidi begins her job as a cook at Pine Lodge, a summer resort. She is wanting to get away from the end of her engagement to long-time boyfriend , then fiancé, Alan and the rumor-mill of her small town. She first meets “Fire Boy” Doug upon her late night arrival at Pine lodge. Doug seems to have a bit more behind his mysterious, loner boy mystique.

Took just over an hour to read and was a nice wholesome tale.

Special thanks to Veracious Readers and Kate Courtright for sharing Fire Boy with me in exchange my honest review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Kate Courtright; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Traceys · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was enjoying this story, getting into the characters and then The End. I knew it was a short story, but wasn't expecting those two words so soon!

2.5 stars

[Garth Mailman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fire Boy: A Pine Lodge Tale
Kate Courtright

Authors write what they know and this one appears to be channelling horny teenage summer-camp counsellors. Given the weather this would seem to be a lodge in the Pacific North West or coastal Maine. The titular character might find it beneath his 26-year-old dignity to be referred to as a fire boy. Our 27 year-old narrator acts as chef for over a hundred staff and patrons. The owners of this lodge treat their adult staff like junior camp counsellors, not adults. Although this is a family lodge we meet only one single 90-yr-old guest. The most believable character in the piece is the black mouser, Monster, who appears to have imprinted him/herself on Doug, the Fireboy.

In spite of myself I liked the principal characters here, I just wish they’d have been allowed to grow up.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heidi was hired to be the cook at Pine Lodge. Doug was the fire boy at the Lodge. He would start a fire in fireplaces in all the cabins early in the morning, so the cabin was warm when the occupants woke up.

Both of them had something in their past they wanted to keep secret. Janet, the head waitress, took it upon herself to put that information out to the other employees. Would they lose their jobs? Would anything be said to Janet about what she did?

I received a free book, and this is my honest opinion.

[Claire Casewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story which combines the sweetness of romance with a heart-lifting tale of rising from the ashes. Wonderful setting –I could almost smell the pines. If it were possible, I would book a cabin so I could pop over for a chat with Miss Strickland. I loved the supporting characters almost as much as the heroine and hero. Almost. The hero, Doug, has a delectable combination of broodiness and kindness that is hard to beat. Finally, will Chris get his own story soon?

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story that kept me reading from start to finish. Heidi and Doug, who meet after they are employed at a resort for the summer, both have secrets they prefer not to have revealed. They choose to have limited interaction with their co-workers, especially after jealousy and spite on the part of a staff member leads to partial exposure of their separate pasts.
Ms Courtright is skilled at writing an absorbing and comprehensive story, keeping the reader fully engaged, in less than 100 pages.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story awakened memories from years of teaching prisoners. The humanity, the curiosity, the compassion of people who have made mistakes, sometimes grave ones- but also the shame society can heap upon others. Kate Courtright captures the human heart and magnifies it on every page. How we need her empathy and her honesty, both, in our world. Excellent humanitarian insights from the pen of a really fine writer.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs to be Longer

I really enjoyed this book and was really invested in the characters, and just when they started opening up to each other, it was over! I want a full-length novel of Doug and Heidi's story. There is so much more to their story.
It was such a heartbreaking story for what they both have gone through, yet hope in the air. Great story. I just wish there was more.

[Kandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyable story. The author has a delightful way of writing dialogue, and I enjoyed her overall writing style. Heidi and Doug, who both have secrets, are well-written characters with surprising depth. I was only disappointed that I reached the end of the tale so quickly!

[KGillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great short story to read. I was able to finish it in one sitting. The characters were amazing and the place sounded wonderful. It made me want to go there. I enjoyed it so much I wish it was longer story. I received a copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella!! It was short, sweet and had a good storyline. There is zero sex so don’t think this is a spicy novella. The story help my attention and I really loved Doug. If you want a quick read, pick this one up!

[Jean Taylor-Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story

The story intrigued me from start to finish. Following all the content and how the story unfolded.

Was so entertaining and the twists kept me thinking what was going to happen next. So happy on the final outcome.

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️This was a sweet short story! I would have liked it more stretched to a full length novel. It reminded me of Susan Wiggs' series (Lakeshore Chronicles) about a camp up north.

[Lisa Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

It is nice to read a book and not have it figured out until you gotten to the end. Loved the content. I highly recommend.

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful story

Found on a free site, what a great read and a touching slice of life. I will be checking out this author.

[Shelley Vanbrunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet short story. Definitely would love a longer version of this story.

[Kathi Simmons-Kuebler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed more

This was a cute storyline with good characters. The ending left me needing so much more though. I need to know what happened next.

[Madisyn Schuldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much shorter than I usually read. A nice day read. Great story about learning how to trust others again after you've made mistakes.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little novella. I’d like to read more about these two main characters.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, quick novella. I love that the backgrounds of the two mc's are so different, but it works, and how they push past the comments of those around them. Definitely worth a read.

[Hillary Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book to read and review by voracious readers

The only reason this is 4 stars and not 5 is because I want more!! I feel like the love story was just getting started! I was a great short read but I want it to continue.

[Hillary Tucker]

I was given this book to read and review by voracious readers

The only reason this is 4 stars and not 5 is because I want more!! I feel like the love story was just getting started! I was a great short read but I want it to continue.

[Felicity van der Linde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute with a twist

This book is a short sweet love story. Both characters have a past they regret. They also have an awful colleague to overcome.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

POV: Single (Heidi).
Descriptive Sex: No.
OW/OM: No.
Separation: No.
Content Warnings: mention of death and cheating
★★★★★

I went into this knowing full well it's a novella yet was still unprepared when I quickly got to "The End". This is such a cute and heartwarming story of two people who find themselves working at Pine Lodge in search of a new start. From their meeting to the end, the chemistry between Heidi and Doug was almost palpable.

I don't think I could give enough praise to how well this story was written. In less than 100 pages I've become attached to our leads and everyone in Pine Lodge (okay, maybe not Janet). If there was one con, I wished this was a full-length novel. Which is really more of a compliment to Courtright than a con.

Thank you to Kate Courtright for the complimentary copy of your novella and Voracious Readers Only for the introduction. This is an honest review in exchange.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not often that I finish a book and think “but I want more!” What happens next ? Where does the relationship go? I received a complimentary copy of Fireboy via Voracious Readers Only. It is well written and leaves you guessing just enough to keep it interesting. The characters are well developed and the positive, as well as negative, emotions derived from the reading are strong and clear.
The ending leaves me feeling on a precipice, wondering what's going to happen next? I’m waiting for the next book! Will they actually develop a long term relationship? Will they grow closer? Regardless of what happened next, this story beautifully outlines the beginning of a sensitive or gentle relationship - a friendship that should stand the test of time. So few relationships today are built on honesty and trust, read about this one.