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Fully Engaged
Their passion is one fire they can't put out.
Nine years ago, he left her alone and pregnant. Now he's back.
When hotshot firefighter Callie Kilpatrick gets a new partner, he's the last man she ever wanted to meet again: Rick Montana, the man she once loved and planned to marry, the man who left her without explanation. Rick resurrects all the old, unresolved feelings she had for him. Though she never told him about her pregnancy, she blames him for the loss of their child.
As for Rick, he's never forgotten Callie. But as her anger singes him, he wonders if he'll ever be able to get past the walls she's built around her heart. When they must work together to discover a murderer, they discover that passion still burns hot between them.
Nine years ago, he left her alone and pregnant. Now he's back.
When hotshot firefighter Callie Kilpatrick gets a new partner, he's the last man she ever wanted to meet again: Rick Montana, the man she once loved and planned to marry, the man who left her without explanation. Rick resurrects all the old, unresolved feelings she had for him. Though she never told him about her pregnancy, she blames him for the loss of their child.
As for Rick, he's never forgotten Callie. But as her anger singes him, he wonders if he'll ever be able to get past the walls she's built around her heart. When they must work together to discover a murderer, they discover that passion still burns hot between them.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
13 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Eve Gaddy
77 books174 followersEve Gaddy is the award winning, national bestselling author of forty novels and novellas.
Eve 's books have won and been nominated for awards from Romantic Times, Golden Quill, Bookseller’s Best, Holt Medallion, Texas Gold, Daphne Du Maurier and more. She was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Innovative Series romance as well as winning the 2008 Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Series Storyteller of the year. Eve’s books have sold over a million copies worldwide and been published in several languages and many foreign countries.
Eve’s writing career began when she was in search of the perfect job and a friend challenged her to write a novel. Naturally, she thought of romance, since that is one of her favorite things to read.
Eve loves her family, spring and fall in east Texas, the Colorado mountains, dogs, chocolate, books, and electronics. She enjoys cooking except when she is creating, and has been known to tell her husband that is what takeout was created for.
Eve also loves a happy ending. That's why she writes romance.
Eve 's books have won and been nominated for awards from Romantic Times, Golden Quill, Bookseller’s Best, Holt Medallion, Texas Gold, Daphne Du Maurier and more. She was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Innovative Series romance as well as winning the 2008 Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Series Storyteller of the year. Eve’s books have sold over a million copies worldwide and been published in several languages and many foreign countries.
Eve’s writing career began when she was in search of the perfect job and a friend challenged her to write a novel. Naturally, she thought of romance, since that is one of her favorite things to read.
Eve loves her family, spring and fall in east Texas, the Colorado mountains, dogs, chocolate, books, and electronics. She enjoys cooking except when she is creating, and has been known to tell her husband that is what takeout was created for.
Eve also loves a happy ending. That's why she writes romance.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 28, 2015
The mystery part of this was surprisingly strong for this kind of romance - there wasn't a large pool of suspects, so complete surprise was off the table, but it still worked with different touches - mysterious notes, red herrings, suspicious coincidences. What didn't work was the romantic element. Rick was irritating - he constantly called her one of three things: Darlin', Sugar, or Killer as an old nickname. His attitude irritated me with his reasoning for leaving her without telling her, then jealousy that didn't make sense, to giving up on the relationship again way too easily. Cal was okay but one-dimensional. The dialogue hurt since the author overindulged in character names in the dialogue. Not the worst book, but not a winner because I could care less about the couple.
July 25, 2014
It's been two years since Callie watched her fiance die in a wildfire, but her heartache began long before then. Now time has caught up with her, and her past looks sexier than ever in the form of her first love, Rick Montana. Both of them are harboring secrets, but she won't listen to his reasons for ending their engagement all those years ago. Rick wants a second chance with her, but with the rumor of a serial arsonist on the loose, one who may have been responsible for the death of her fiance, she's determined to find the truth before she thinks of giving up her ghost. Secrets are uncovered and a colleague is murdered. Who has it in for her, and will she lose Rick before it's too late?
Who doesn't enjoy a story about reunited lovers and second chances? I was Fully Engaged from the first page. A fast paced plot, action, a wealth of drama, suspense and heartache were all wrapped up in this story surrounding the wildfire firefighters, the Los Lobos Hotshots. At first I loved the character of Callie. Her job was tough, yet she was taken seriously by her colleagues. I got the feeling there was trust and mutual respect there. She could spar verbally with the best of them, and she had a fiery temper that made her seem...cute. But as the story went on, I lost that connection to her. I attribute that to the fact that Callie didn't fully let go of Johnny until the 96% mark. I didn't know that much about her aside from her Olympic aspirations during college, then the brief moment of her happiness at the very beginning of the book. The rest of the time she was defensive, competitive, in denial and stubborn. Rick on the other hand was cocky, loyal, a smart cookie and had a soft spot for animals. He had a lot more facets than she did.
Rick was an utterly loveable hero. A man who has spent years pining over the one he let get away, and doing everything he could to help her solve the mystery of her fiance's death...it doesn't get sweeter than that. But talk about an uphill and almost fruitless battle. Just when I thought he was making progress, Callie turned aggressively defensive. All I could do was feel sorry for him. I wanted to shake Callie but telling her to let go of Johnny even after two years would have been like telling a child that Santa didn't really exist. Talk about being in serious denial.
This story had a lot of layers that all seemed to come together in the end. I also love a mystery where you can't easily pin-point who the bad guy is. I was taken completely by surprise. Twice. Needless to say, I never saw it coming.
Aside from a couple of spelling mistakes, I noticed that the letter L was missing from a lot of the words, i.e. ful, al, wel, etc. It got progressively worse towards the end of the book, but maybe I received a faulty review copy?
Overall, I would definitely recommend this story if you love firefighters because it was exciting and sexy to read. The ending definitely made up for Callie's stubbornness. At least for me.
Final rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Bell Bridge Books via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review.
May 6, 2022
Loved this edge of your seat book. Fire fighting is stressful enough at normal times, throw in murder, arson & greed & you’ve got one fantastic book. This book was, as always so well written with great attention to detail that always makes author Eve Gaddy’s books such great reads. The emotions run high in this book as the past comes back for Callie, in the form of her ex-fiancé, who battles the ghost of her recently deceased fiancé who died fighting a forest fire. The characters in this book were so well developed & written with strong emotions & chemistry the forests weren’t the only things burning up. I enjoyed how strong Rick was as he fought for Callie’s heart again & also when it was time to go. Author Eve Gaddy is still & always will be one of my favourite go to authors for great books. Definitely recommend.
August 16, 2013
My problem with some romance is that the authors try to push too much toward some kind of fantasy (we women "have", according to same authors). So we have books full of Seals, firefighters, special ops, special [whatever you want]. I'm not a fan, so I try to avoid some of them, but my pitfall are offers and so here we are.
Why do I have a problem, you might ask. Because the stories are never real enough to be believable. Here we are presented the special ops of firefighters, the uber firefighter group, the hotshots. But we have to believe that the hero, who is a journalist, had no problem in being accepted in it as he worked as a firefighter for three years (while researching). I don't know you opinion, but does it seem believable to you? Is it that easy getting into the top class in the USA?
I thought no.
That's not the end. In the same group there are four, and I mean, four people (plus the hero) who should not be there. .uh?
Let's keep on. The hero. Again I don't know your tastes, but mine run afoul of a stalker, a jerk who's only thinking of what he lost, what he wants, what he... you get my idea. Not once I've thought he's been thinking of her. Even when he does once, he does because he has a second end (getting her).
He even blames her for keeping the truth from him 9 years ago. Excuse me? You left her in the middle of the night, believing a (pretty lame) lie and she has the one to be ashamed? And that's another problem for me. He never grovels, never question his choice. He has literally single-handedly decided her future, destroyed her career and all he has are excuses. And attitude. God, if I didn't hate his attitude, it came out as callousness. And I hated all the name calling.
The heroine. I think I would have loved the heroine, if the author hadn't decided this book needed a lot of sex scenes. So this strong woman is made into a walking bag of hormones and can't say no to sex. Because, you know, it has been two years and we need sex to live... sigh. The result was a schizophrenic attitude. Night sex, morning regrets. Well, something stronger than regrets.
I never get why she still loves him, except as authorial decision. She has loved another guy, it's not that her life ended when he left the first time..
I didn't see them falling in love, and I didn't see how they could. And this is not exactly a rousing recommendation for a romance.
Why do I have a problem, you might ask. Because the stories are never real enough to be believable. Here we are presented the special ops of firefighters, the uber firefighter group, the hotshots. But we have to believe that the hero, who is a journalist, had no problem in being accepted in it as he worked as a firefighter for three years (while researching). I don't know you opinion, but does it seem believable to you? Is it that easy getting into the top class in the USA?
I thought no.
That's not the end. In the same group there are four, and I mean, four people (plus the hero) who should not be there. .uh?
Let's keep on. The hero. Again I don't know your tastes, but mine run afoul of a stalker, a jerk who's only thinking of what he lost, what he wants, what he... you get my idea. Not once I've thought he's been thinking of her. Even when he does once, he does because he has a second end (getting her).
He even blames her for keeping the truth from him 9 years ago. Excuse me? You left her in the middle of the night, believing a (pretty lame) lie and she has the one to be ashamed? And that's another problem for me. He never grovels, never question his choice. He has literally single-handedly decided her future, destroyed her career and all he has are excuses. And attitude. God, if I didn't hate his attitude, it came out as callousness. And I hated all the name calling.
The heroine. I think I would have loved the heroine, if the author hadn't decided this book needed a lot of sex scenes. So this strong woman is made into a walking bag of hormones and can't say no to sex. Because, you know, it has been two years and we need sex to live... sigh. The result was a schizophrenic attitude. Night sex, morning regrets. Well, something stronger than regrets.
I never get why she still loves him, except as authorial decision. She has loved another guy, it's not that her life ended when he left the first time..
I didn't see them falling in love, and I didn't see how they could. And this is not exactly a rousing recommendation for a romance.
July 20, 2016
3 1/2 Stars ~ After recovering from a knee injury that ended her ski career, Callie followed her brother's footsteps and became a hot-shot firefighter, soon becoming a member of the elite wildfire fighter team, Los Lobos. When her fiance dies in a fire set by an arson, Callie pushes for answers but now two years later it seems everyone just wants to sweep it all under the carpet. Without the adrenalin rush from fighting fires and her obsession to find Johnny's killer, Callie had no purpose. That is until Rick walks back into her life. Nine years ago he'd abandoned her in the middle of the night without a word, and then days later broke their engagement over the phone. He'd not known she was pregnant as she'd not been sure she was, and hurt at his rejection she'd been too proud to tell him when he phoned. And days later still numb from his betrayal, she went skiing when she wasn't alert enough, and the accident not only took her baby but her chances at the Olympics. And here he is, all gorgeous and wanting her to just step back into his arms as if he'd never left.
Rick knows he has a lot to answer for. He'd had a reason to end their engagement, and he knew if Callie had known the whole story she'd have insisted on staying with him. It took his father's death for him to learn the truth, that his reason had been a lie, that they'd both been betrayed. And now, he wonders if Callie will ever forgive him and give him another chance. He quickly realizes that he has more than just their past to over come, but Callie's devotion to a dead man as well.
This is the first book I've read written by Ms. Gaddy. The plot in this story is a complex one and Ms. Gaddy pulls it all together really well. I liked Rick and Callie. They have combustible chemistry that time apart has only enhanced. The arson-murder story-line adds life threatening danger that ups the tension and forces Rick and Callie to work together. The SuperRomance line allows for a more developed story, this both benefits and hinders this one. At times I felt this story had too many complexities; too many twists, that threatened to overwhelm the original plot. Ms Gaddy pulls it altogether and I enjoyed Rick and Callie's HEA.
Rick knows he has a lot to answer for. He'd had a reason to end their engagement, and he knew if Callie had known the whole story she'd have insisted on staying with him. It took his father's death for him to learn the truth, that his reason had been a lie, that they'd both been betrayed. And now, he wonders if Callie will ever forgive him and give him another chance. He quickly realizes that he has more than just their past to over come, but Callie's devotion to a dead man as well.
This is the first book I've read written by Ms. Gaddy. The plot in this story is a complex one and Ms. Gaddy pulls it all together really well. I liked Rick and Callie. They have combustible chemistry that time apart has only enhanced. The arson-murder story-line adds life threatening danger that ups the tension and forces Rick and Callie to work together. The SuperRomance line allows for a more developed story, this both benefits and hinders this one. At times I felt this story had too many complexities; too many twists, that threatened to overwhelm the original plot. Ms Gaddy pulls it altogether and I enjoyed Rick and Callie's HEA.
June 6, 2013
First of all, I want to point out that this is not a new release. This a re-release of a book originally published back in 2001 by Harlequin Books. You know that feeling you get sometimes reading an old Harlequin? It feels stale and dated, a bit hokey? Yeah, never got that here, so it was either well-written to begin with or the author has done some updating.
The premise is nothing new or earth-shattering. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, get engaged, misunderstandings arise, boy leaves girl (in the dead of the night, without an explanation, OF COURSE), girl loses the baby he never knew she was carrying, years pass by and they “accidentally” find themselves in one another’s path again. She’s still hurt and angry and guarding her heart, particularly since she lost her fiancé to one of the wildfires she spends her life fighting. He wants her back and manages to get a spot on the team of fire fighters she works with. DRAMA ensues. There’s a bit of suspense in the form of an arsonist who may or may not be one of their team.
There were no fade to black sexy times here. It wasn’t clinical or overly descriptive, but there was ENOUGH and they were moderately hot. All said and done an easy, sweet, enjoyable read.
The premise is nothing new or earth-shattering. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, get engaged, misunderstandings arise, boy leaves girl (in the dead of the night, without an explanation, OF COURSE), girl loses the baby he never knew she was carrying, years pass by and they “accidentally” find themselves in one another’s path again. She’s still hurt and angry and guarding her heart, particularly since she lost her fiancé to one of the wildfires she spends her life fighting. He wants her back and manages to get a spot on the team of fire fighters she works with. DRAMA ensues. There’s a bit of suspense in the form of an arsonist who may or may not be one of their team.
There were no fade to black sexy times here. It wasn’t clinical or overly descriptive, but there was ENOUGH and they were moderately hot. All said and done an easy, sweet, enjoyable read.
September 20, 2013
Loved the premise - hotshot crews make for some good drama - but wasn't thrilled with the story. It's probably a style issue, but the various plot issues were too much I also felt like the tension between Rick and Callie was too, well, one dimensional. There was a lot of Rick pushing her buttons, her yelling at him, he kisses her, she melts then freezes him out. Over and over and over and over. Finally, she tells him how much he hurt her and why. Even then, Rick takes forever to spill his side of the story.
September 6, 2024
Great read
The story of Rick and Callie is brilliantly written and it shows their emotions and feelings developing again with every word written... They just couldn't escape each other, no matter how much Callie tried to.
Also it's a very good read to learn more about firefights and firefighters - you can see how much work was put into this part of the book!
I really enjoyed reading it and I liked the end part of the book, except I felt like it ended a bit abruptly... I guess an epilogue would have been a better way to put an end to the book, but hey!, that's just my opinion and the reason why I didn't give it 5 stars ✨
Nevertheless, I totally recommend this book!!!
The story of Rick and Callie is brilliantly written and it shows their emotions and feelings developing again with every word written... They just couldn't escape each other, no matter how much Callie tried to.
Also it's a very good read to learn more about firefights and firefighters - you can see how much work was put into this part of the book!
I really enjoyed reading it and I liked the end part of the book, except I felt like it ended a bit abruptly... I guess an epilogue would have been a better way to put an end to the book, but hey!, that's just my opinion and the reason why I didn't give it 5 stars ✨
Nevertheless, I totally recommend this book!!!
February 26, 2019
Fully of spice, intrigue and love
Callie and Rick are a compelling pair, their love story has you rooting for them every step of the way. Then there's a delightful supporting cast from the good guys like Sean and Tores to the bad guys but I won't give the ending away by telling you their names. You'll just have to open the book and take the roller coaster adventure yourself.
Callie and Rick are a compelling pair, their love story has you rooting for them every step of the way. Then there's a delightful supporting cast from the good guys like Sean and Tores to the bad guys but I won't give the ending away by telling you their names. You'll just have to open the book and take the roller coaster adventure yourself.
December 12, 2022
i actually own the paperback for a while but i've only had the chance to read it now. it's good, my first time reading work of eve gaddy, the writing is okay, but i feel that i need more drama hehe. overall it's a solid romance with a side of thriller. the romance part is not as thick as i thought. look forward to read more!
May 3, 2018
Good read
Fun, intense, heartbreaking, heartwarming, describes this story. Characters were very descriptive and conflicts abounded. Quite thrilling to have stumbled onto this author. Anticipating to read more.
Fun, intense, heartbreaking, heartwarming, describes this story. Characters were very descriptive and conflicts abounded. Quite thrilling to have stumbled onto this author. Anticipating to read more.
June 16, 2013
When a romantic suspense novel is written correctly, the reader doesn’t fully grasp who the bad guy is until right before it’s too late, neither do the good characters in the book. Fully Engaged is definitely a prime example of what romantic suspense is supposed to look like.
Callie lost her fiancé two years ago in a fire. It was arson and the case was never properly investigated. Callie, her brother and Sean, her best friend were working on it behind the scenes, but weren’t getting anywhere. She got a call into the office and was slapped with a not so pleasant blast from the past. Her new partner is her ex-fiancé from nine years ago, who dumped her on the phone.
Rick has loved Callie and wanted her the whole time he has been away. Once he found out the reason he left her was a lie, he went about setting up seeing her again. He had no idea she was still in love with her dead fiancé.
Rick and Callie’s story to me is a perfect example of if you love something set it free. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Their love was so strong and intense it transcended time and betrayal. These two suffered so much because of a lie.
I loved that Callie took a while to admit it and go to him that she didn’t just drop all of her responsibilities and go after him. This made it more real for me. My favorite part was the surprises about who the bad guys were just kept piling up. The author did such a good job drawing suspicions to wrong places and keeping the reader from getting any clue who it really was. I love romantic suspense like this.
I really wish she would make this book a series. The Hot Shot Series would surely be a hit. I mean, who doesn’t love a firefighter and then throw in that their Hot Shots, the special forces of firefighting, and YUMMY!
Callie lost her fiancé two years ago in a fire. It was arson and the case was never properly investigated. Callie, her brother and Sean, her best friend were working on it behind the scenes, but weren’t getting anywhere. She got a call into the office and was slapped with a not so pleasant blast from the past. Her new partner is her ex-fiancé from nine years ago, who dumped her on the phone.
Rick has loved Callie and wanted her the whole time he has been away. Once he found out the reason he left her was a lie, he went about setting up seeing her again. He had no idea she was still in love with her dead fiancé.
Rick and Callie’s story to me is a perfect example of if you love something set it free. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Their love was so strong and intense it transcended time and betrayal. These two suffered so much because of a lie.
I loved that Callie took a while to admit it and go to him that she didn’t just drop all of her responsibilities and go after him. This made it more real for me. My favorite part was the surprises about who the bad guys were just kept piling up. The author did such a good job drawing suspicions to wrong places and keeping the reader from getting any clue who it really was. I love romantic suspense like this.
I really wish she would make this book a series. The Hot Shot Series would surely be a hit. I mean, who doesn’t love a firefighter and then throw in that their Hot Shots, the special forces of firefighting, and YUMMY!
June 23, 2013
As a daughter of a retired Fire Chief I have always like firefighters and romance. When I was luck enough to read this title from NetGalley I was thrilled and started reading right away. I feel in love with Callie right away a strong woman who had some issues but who wouldn't have her fiancée passed away in a fire. Then Rick comes back into the picture after running off and canceling their weeding over 9 years ago. How can Callie get through her grief and find out what Rick wants while having him as her new partner?
Callie's fiancée Johnny passes away in a fire that in now known to be arson. After a year of waiting to see what is going on her ex-fiancee Rick a journalist now firefighter is in the picture trying to compete with a dead guy. With Rick's help and her brother Danny they come close to finding out who is setting fires that are killing people and are putting money in the pockets of the people helping the firefighters. As they get closer Callie is in more danger then ever.
The characters are great. Even the villains are easy to like. The book is easy flowing and draws you in immediately. I did not want to put this book down and in fact stayed up half the night getting it read. The story is so intoxicating you have to know who is setting up Callie to take the fall and what they plan to do.
I will be looking for more books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this title for my honest opinion.
Callie's fiancée Johnny passes away in a fire that in now known to be arson. After a year of waiting to see what is going on her ex-fiancee Rick a journalist now firefighter is in the picture trying to compete with a dead guy. With Rick's help and her brother Danny they come close to finding out who is setting fires that are killing people and are putting money in the pockets of the people helping the firefighters. As they get closer Callie is in more danger then ever.
The characters are great. Even the villains are easy to like. The book is easy flowing and draws you in immediately. I did not want to put this book down and in fact stayed up half the night getting it read. The story is so intoxicating you have to know who is setting up Callie to take the fall and what they plan to do.
I will be looking for more books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this title for my honest opinion.
April 21, 2015
Just ok for me..
Good story but I wish they had resolved the death of Johnny much sooner. Lordy, I got real sick of seeing his name on every other page. And I was a lot tired of Callie’s obsession with a man who’d been dead for 2 years when Rick came back into her life. AND he put off telling her the truth about why he left her 9 years age until almost 90% of the book. As good as the story was it had a little too much angst for me, it just went on and on.
I like the mystery that went on and the secondary characters were great: Romero and Maria, Bader, Audley, Danny, Lana. You really had no clue who the baddies were and you found yourself wondering over and over again if it could be him or her. It really was a good book.
AND there was some fantastic sexual tension and sex. So, if you don’t like sex in your books keep on looking.
The one thing that I really didn’t like about this book was that there was no swearing. I happen to know that firemen are all potty mouths and for this book to not have one hell or damn was just ridiculous. I can never understand how an author can write such explicit sex but won’t swear. It doesn’t make a bit of sense.
Good story but I wish they had resolved the death of Johnny much sooner. Lordy, I got real sick of seeing his name on every other page. And I was a lot tired of Callie’s obsession with a man who’d been dead for 2 years when Rick came back into her life. AND he put off telling her the truth about why he left her 9 years age until almost 90% of the book. As good as the story was it had a little too much angst for me, it just went on and on.
I like the mystery that went on and the secondary characters were great: Romero and Maria, Bader, Audley, Danny, Lana. You really had no clue who the baddies were and you found yourself wondering over and over again if it could be him or her. It really was a good book.
AND there was some fantastic sexual tension and sex. So, if you don’t like sex in your books keep on looking.
The one thing that I really didn’t like about this book was that there was no swearing. I happen to know that firemen are all potty mouths and for this book to not have one hell or damn was just ridiculous. I can never understand how an author can write such explicit sex but won’t swear. It doesn’t make a bit of sense.
June 29, 2013
Callie has been hurt in the past, has had her heart broken more than once. Firstly when Rick broke off their engagement 9 years ago, and now by the death of her fiance Johnny in a forest fire she was fighting with him and their team, the Los Lobos Hotshots.
Rick after all this time decides to come looking for her, and after spending 3 years training in California, joins her team and is partnered with Callie. Sparks fly, and Callie struggles to deny that she still has feelings for him. She is also still grieving for Johnny, and has drawn the unwanted attention of an arsonist.
I stayed up well into the night reading this book, I liked the characters, their chemistry and the writing style made the book an engrossing and easy read. Eve's writing style reminded me a little of Nora Roberts, which is a treat in itself.
This book is a re-release, but I must admit it didn't feel outdated in any way. I will definitely be looking to read more by Eve Gaddy.
I was privileged to be provided with a copy of this book through Netgalley, and as thanks I have provided the above honest review.
Rick after all this time decides to come looking for her, and after spending 3 years training in California, joins her team and is partnered with Callie. Sparks fly, and Callie struggles to deny that she still has feelings for him. She is also still grieving for Johnny, and has drawn the unwanted attention of an arsonist.
I stayed up well into the night reading this book, I liked the characters, their chemistry and the writing style made the book an engrossing and easy read. Eve's writing style reminded me a little of Nora Roberts, which is a treat in itself.
This book is a re-release, but I must admit it didn't feel outdated in any way. I will definitely be looking to read more by Eve Gaddy.
I was privileged to be provided with a copy of this book through Netgalley, and as thanks I have provided the above honest review.
September 6, 2013
I felt there was a lot of 'blaming the victim' going on in this story. In order to make the hero more sympathetic the heroine was thrown under the bus time and again for things that were not her fault. The hero walked out on her yet whined about it as if he had no responsibility for his actions. The heroine's friends play devil advocate time and again. Well with friends (and family) like this, who need enemies?
I thought this book had an unsympathetic hero paired with a semi likable heroine, I would have liked her better if she had walked away from the hero.
Meanwhile, in what universe is a journalist turned firefighter able to hold his own, after only a few years of training, in an elite fire fighter team? Never mind that he stalked the heroine in order to end up in the same group as she, yet insulted her when she questioned if that was why he was there? He was insulting her more often than not through the whole story. Charming guy.
I could understand why he wanted her back but I couldn't understand why she would take him back.
I thought this book had an unsympathetic hero paired with a semi likable heroine, I would have liked her better if she had walked away from the hero.
Meanwhile, in what universe is a journalist turned firefighter able to hold his own, after only a few years of training, in an elite fire fighter team? Never mind that he stalked the heroine in order to end up in the same group as she, yet insulted her when she questioned if that was why he was there? He was insulting her more often than not through the whole story. Charming guy.
I could understand why he wanted her back but I couldn't understand why she would take him back.
January 28, 2016
Not a proper review -- just an anecdote!
When I buy romance novels, I get them from secondhand shops. I picked this one because, you know, firefighters, but not too far in the heroine started shouting at the hero. Oh no, I thought (with no small degree of dismay), she's going to be one of those heroines who is "feisty" and shouts a lot. I was hoping for the strong, stoic, silent firefighter type.
I thought about that for a second. Oops, no, I was hoping for the strong, stoic, silent, lesbian firefighter type. Definitely setting my sights in the wrong direction there...
(I have a habit of annotating romance novels with Post-it notes and leaving the Post-it notes in there when I later donate the books to another secondhand shop or wherever, so I'm afraid the person who bought this book after me was in for a fair amount of commentary...)
When I buy romance novels, I get them from secondhand shops. I picked this one because, you know, firefighters, but not too far in the heroine started shouting at the hero. Oh no, I thought (with no small degree of dismay), she's going to be one of those heroines who is "feisty" and shouts a lot. I was hoping for the strong, stoic, silent firefighter type.
I thought about that for a second. Oops, no, I was hoping for the strong, stoic, silent, lesbian firefighter type. Definitely setting my sights in the wrong direction there...
(I have a habit of annotating romance novels with Post-it notes and leaving the Post-it notes in there when I later donate the books to another secondhand shop or wherever, so I'm afraid the person who bought this book after me was in for a fair amount of commentary...)
June 14, 2013
Everyone knows my love of firemen... but this Fully Engaged... yeah, I have to say that the title is rather ironic. You see, though I read the whole book, I never once felt "engaged". The characters seemed so distant that I couldn't get into it.
I don't regret reading it, but I was bored. Everytime I had to close the book to go back to work or bed my feeling was just, "eh, whatever."
Meh.
I don't regret reading it, but I was bored. Everytime I had to close the book to go back to work or bed my feeling was just, "eh, whatever."
Meh.
June 30, 2013
I genuinely enjoyed Fully Engaged. There was just the right amount of twist and turns in the story to keep you guessing. The h, Callie, lost her fiance in a fire 2 years ago. In enters her first love,the one who broke things off with her, with no explanation, breaking her heart. There was a good amount of antagonism between them for a good amount of the story. There were a couple of times that I would have liked to tell Callie to get her act together, but just to help her move on with Rick faster. All together a good read! 4/5 stars
An ARC copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest review.
An ARC copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest review.
January 18, 2015
Wow, this was a hot read! Callie and Rick were engaged 9 years ago and he had walked out on her in the middle of the night. Since then, she has been engaged again, but Johnny, her fiance was killed in a fire. Thrown together as partners, Rick and Callie struggle with the secrets they both kept from each other. Can they find an arsonist/murderer and repair their broken relationship? Oh man, was this book hot!!! A thrilling story that kept me turning page after page. I couldn't put it down! It was just phenomenal!
June 18, 2013
Quick easy read. Hot shot fire fighters, suspense, and romance. Great combo. I loved Rick, very macho, completely loyal and so in love. Callie irked me some, I hated how long it took her to let go of Johnny, but I can understand in a way. I didn't like how long she fought her feelings but get some of it.
ARC provided by NetGalley
ARC provided by NetGalley
February 1, 2017
I enjoyed this contemporary romance that was a second chance one. Callie and Rick had a relationship that ended badly. Their is much baggage, as well as some secrets between them. When the firefighters are reunited as partners and then embroiled in a murder investigation, they will have the opportunity to resolve their past differences.
September 8, 2013
I normally read sci-fi, fantasy and paranormal but I do like to throw a trashy romance novel in the mix. This was a good book. The story was interesting and the sex wasn't overly graphic. If you're looking for an entertaining easy read with some mystery, thrills and romance then this is the book for you.
April 26, 2014
This is one of my all-time favorite Eve Gaddy books. Rick is hotter than the fires they fight and Callie is feisty and so relatable. I've re-read my paperback copy a bunch of times so getting on my Kindle was great!
October 13, 2013
This book has love loss secrets and lies. Just when u think it's over there's a twist. This book will emotionally draw you in and have you hooked till the very end. I would recommend this book to anyone
August 18, 2013
Nice little romance. Not too graphic, but enough to make it a romance.
June 5, 2015
It's my first time reading this author.
I really enjoyed this book.
I liked all the characters and the story.
I really enjoyed this book.
I liked all the characters and the story.
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