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Honeybridge #1
Firecracker
There are three kinds of people in Honeybridge, Maine: The Honeycutts, who know a lot about love and loyalty; The Wellbridges, who think they’re the epitome of wealth and refinement; and the rest of the Honeybridgers, who know better than to get in the way of the centuries-old rivalry between the two.
There wasn’t a time when I didn't know Flynn “Firecracker” Honeycutt.
He’s been my childhood friend. My high school rival. The guy I couldn’t stop dreaming about, long after I thought I’d left him and Honeybridge in my rear-view mirror.
Now he’s the key to the giant promotion that can make or break my career… if I can just convince the man to give me the distribution rights for his award-winning mead.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.
Flynn’s not the guy he used to be. His gorgeous eyes used to spark with dreams and fire, but now he looks at me with cold fury. And just like Achilles had his heel and Samson had his hair, I had Flynn Honeycutt, the one man I’d never been able to charm, despite an entire life spent winning people over.
I’m not giving up, though. Because I’m not the kid I used to be, either. And because, if the two of us can survive a long, hot summer filled with his family’s crazy antics and my mother’s single-handed determination to keep the Wellbridge-Honeycutt feud alive, there might just be a chance for both of us to get what we want:
A new dream.
The fulfillment of an old town legend.
And another chance to spark Firecracker to life.
There wasn’t a time when I didn't know Flynn “Firecracker” Honeycutt.
He’s been my childhood friend. My high school rival. The guy I couldn’t stop dreaming about, long after I thought I’d left him and Honeybridge in my rear-view mirror.
Now he’s the key to the giant promotion that can make or break my career… if I can just convince the man to give me the distribution rights for his award-winning mead.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.
Flynn’s not the guy he used to be. His gorgeous eyes used to spark with dreams and fire, but now he looks at me with cold fury. And just like Achilles had his heel and Samson had his hair, I had Flynn Honeycutt, the one man I’d never been able to charm, despite an entire life spent winning people over.
I’m not giving up, though. Because I’m not the kid I used to be, either. And because, if the two of us can survive a long, hot summer filled with his family’s crazy antics and my mother’s single-handed determination to keep the Wellbridge-Honeycutt feud alive, there might just be a chance for both of us to get what we want:
A new dream.
The fulfillment of an old town legend.
And another chance to spark Firecracker to life.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 29, 2022
741 people are currently reading
1440 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Lennox
93 books4,442 followersI write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
March 2, 2024
I had so much fun reading this one. I really liked Flynn and JT. Their rivalry in the first part of the book literally made me laugh a few times. I loved learning about their past, and the way their relationship developed was surprisingly sweet.
I'm very fond of quirky small towns these authors create, with all the meddling side characters. The family members in this one are really interesting, I could read more about them.
The story is a bit silly and cheesy at times, and the conflicts predictable, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. I just loved spending time in their world and I'm happy with how everything wrapped up at the end.
I'm very fond of quirky small towns these authors create, with all the meddling side characters. The family members in this one are really interesting, I could read more about them.
The story is a bit silly and cheesy at times, and the conflicts predictable, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. I just loved spending time in their world and I'm happy with how everything wrapped up at the end.
March 16, 2024
Honeybridge is Licking Thicket, Part 2: small town gossip, meddling friends and family, and multitudes of sexy gay men.
There were funny moments here, especially in the last few chapters, and a couple super steamy scenes, but the book felt overly long and repetitive.
And Flynn ... I couldn't with him. Flynn is immature and impulsive. He and JT have zero communication skills between them, although JT isn't quite as childish.
Too many secondary characters, too many weird nicknames (JT is Jonathan, Jon, Jonny, Frog, and Rainmaker).
Another reviewer mentioned, and I agree, that Lucy Lennox writes superb, supportive grandpas who raise shitty kids who reproduce tenfold and then essentially abandon their children (the grandchildren). The parents are always absent, and the grandmas die along the way. Then grandpa steps in and is amazing, and all the grandkids are equally amazing.
How many times can I read this same narrative?
And what is up with all the Karens? The authors are both white, middle-aged women, yet they seem incapable of writing a sympathetic, "older" (30 and up) female.
While JT's mom, Patricia, does come through in the end, she's a social-climbing snob; nothing and no one is good enough for Patty. But at least Patty is present, which is more than I can say for Flynn's mom, Willow, who has always prioritized her adventures over raising her kids.
I became more invested in the story in the last few chapters and even laughed out loud a few times, but I can't say I loved it.
There were funny moments here, especially in the last few chapters, and a couple super steamy scenes, but the book felt overly long and repetitive.
And Flynn ... I couldn't with him. Flynn is immature and impulsive. He and JT have zero communication skills between them, although JT isn't quite as childish.
Too many secondary characters, too many weird nicknames (JT is Jonathan, Jon, Jonny, Frog, and Rainmaker).
Another reviewer mentioned, and I agree, that Lucy Lennox writes superb, supportive grandpas who raise shitty kids who reproduce tenfold and then essentially abandon their children (the grandchildren). The parents are always absent, and the grandmas die along the way. Then grandpa steps in and is amazing, and all the grandkids are equally amazing.
How many times can I read this same narrative?
And what is up with all the Karens? The authors are both white, middle-aged women, yet they seem incapable of writing a sympathetic, "older" (30 and up) female.
While JT's mom, Patricia, does come through in the end, she's a social-climbing snob; nothing and no one is good enough for Patty. But at least Patty is present, which is more than I can say for Flynn's mom, Willow, who has always prioritized her adventures over raising her kids.
I became more invested in the story in the last few chapters and even laughed out loud a few times, but I can't say I loved it.
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April 22, 2023
Firecracker is book one in the Honeybridge series by Lucy Lennox and May Archer. I fell in love with this cover when it was revealed and have had the book on my kindle since it was released. I just now was finally able to read it.
Jonathan Turner (JT) Wellbridge III couldn’t wait to leave Honeybridge, Maine to go to college and get out from under this family’s expectations. He wanted to live life his own way and that was what he was now doing in New York. He worked for a company that bought the distribution rights from Mead makers and expanded their companies. JT’s boss has been dangling the VP position in front of him forever. JT knows he has earned this position ten times over but now his boss wants him to go home to Honeybridge and convince the local Mead Maker there to sign a contract with them. Only JT knows this is not going to be an easy task because the person he has to convince is not a stranger. It’s someone he’s known all his life.
Flynn Honeycutt has taken over his family’s tavern and has expanded it and gained a lot of attention with what he has accomplished. Flynn is a caretaker, carrying the weight of his family on his shoulders. Taking care of his siblings in a way that his flighty parents aren’t capable of. There is a huge competition coming up in Boston, Brewfest, that Flynn has pinned all his hopes on. It’s where he can get the help he needs to get his product distributed. But then his arch nemesis, the man he hoped never to lay eyes on again, walked into his tavern waving around a contract proposal, acting like he was there to save the world. Well, he can turn right around and march right back out because Flynn was not interested.
First, these two families have a generations old rivalry between them. Both JT and Flynn are about thirty two years old and have known each other all their lives. They have always had a push pull type of relationship. They couldn’t stay away from each other but always seem to push each other away. You could almost call this an enemies to lovers romance but I’m still not sure if they were ever actually enemies. Now that JT is back, they finally spend enough time together to actually talk, to lower their guards and really see each other. And whatever that pull between them that’s always been there is, it finally has the chance to grow.
“Maybe being at odds with JT Wellbridge was more satisfying than being perfectly peaceful and content with anyone else.”
These two were so cute together. I have to mention that at first, I didn’t think I liked JT’s mom but she turned out to be awesome, kind of stole the show a bit! This was a pretty long book. The thing that I didn’t like is that it was apparent early on what their big conflict was going to be. And it got to the point where I dreaded when it was going to happen. It sort of took away from my enjoyment of the book. The town was fun, though, and I enjoyed getting to know both of these families. The next book in the series will be Daydreamer, Flynn’s younger brother, PJ’s book.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
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December 23, 2024
re-listen December 2024
Omg, Michael Dean really narrated the shit out of Patricia Wellbridge. When JT got into it with her it was the most hilarious thing. *lmaooo
4.25**** stars
Welcome to Honeybridge.
Where the centuries old feud between the Honeycutts and the Wellbridges is keeping things interesting and the gossip running.
The series starts off with the town’s own version of Romeo & … well, Romeo, I guess (without all the dying, tho.) with Flynn Firecracker Honeycutt and Jonathan Frog Wellbridge. Man, these two had it out for each other. *lol
In the usual fashion of these two authors I was greatly entertained between all the banter, the hot nights and Frog’s and Firecracker’s rocky, but sweet romance.
Special Shoutout for Patricia Wellbridge. For her character itself, and I hope we’ll see a lot more of her in the second book as well, but also for Michael Dean’s hilarious performance of her antics. *lmaooo
I really had a lot of fun, so on to the second one. Let's see what Jonathan’s little brother is up to.
************
Honeybridge Series
Book 1 - Firecracker - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Mr. Important - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - in the makings
Omg, Michael Dean really narrated the shit out of Patricia Wellbridge. When JT got into it with her it was the most hilarious thing. *lmaooo
“Jonathan. Turner. Wellbridge.” Mother appeared at my shoulder like an apparition. “Unhand Mr. Honeycutt at once. That Boston Globe reporter you contacted has arrived and three local reporters besides. While you’re canoodling, we’re being overrun!” She disappeared once again.
4.25**** stars
Welcome to Honeybridge.
Where the centuries old feud between the Honeycutts and the Wellbridges is keeping things interesting and the gossip running.
The series starts off with the town’s own version of Romeo & … well, Romeo, I guess (without all the dying, tho.) with Flynn Firecracker Honeycutt and Jonathan Frog Wellbridge. Man, these two had it out for each other. *lol
In the usual fashion of these two authors I was greatly entertained between all the banter, the hot nights and Frog’s and Firecracker’s rocky, but sweet romance.
Special Shoutout for Patricia Wellbridge. For her character itself, and I hope we’ll see a lot more of her in the second book as well, but also for Michael Dean’s hilarious performance of her antics. *lmaooo
I really had a lot of fun, so on to the second one. Let's see what Jonathan’s little brother is up to.
************
Honeybridge Series
Book 1 - Firecracker - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Mr. Important - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - in the makings
April 8, 2024
3,5 stars.
Overall enjoyable mm romance. There was an emotional connection beside the sexual attraction, there were lots of sweet moments, and yay, character development!
Side note to the character development.. it honestly wasn't that hard to achieve since both MCs initially acted like 13 year old boys, not adults in their early thirties. Why is it too much to ask that 30 years old men act like adults?
Thankfully after the first 20% the MCs acted their age, and it was fun to see them figuring out that they were in love.
There was some miscommunication and lowkey drama, but both weren't drawn out for long but resolved rather quickly, and one OTT meddling mother got to her senses eventually, redeeming herself. Lots of side characters (most with nicknames, too) but they mostly felt just like set ups as future MCs.
This was my first book by the authors, and although I wasn't overly impressed, I can see myself trying something else by them in the future, as a fluffy read in between.
Overall enjoyable mm romance. There was an emotional connection beside the sexual attraction, there were lots of sweet moments, and yay, character development!
Side note to the character development.. it honestly wasn't that hard to achieve since both MCs initially acted like 13 year old boys, not adults in their early thirties. Why is it too much to ask that 30 years old men act like adults?
Thankfully after the first 20% the MCs acted their age, and it was fun to see them figuring out that they were in love.
There was some miscommunication and lowkey drama, but both weren't drawn out for long but resolved rather quickly, and one OTT meddling mother got to her senses eventually, redeeming herself. Lots of side characters (most with nicknames, too) but they mostly felt just like set ups as future MCs.
This was my first book by the authors, and although I wasn't overly impressed, I can see myself trying something else by them in the future, as a fluffy read in between.
December 1, 2022
This book could be half it's size and it'd still be the fucking same, Jesus Christ.
And man, I low-key hated every second of this starting the 80% mark. Or precisely the 68% mark.
Even a character I hated began to be more interesting than the main MC's.
Lastly, fuck Flynn, the biggest hypocrite of them all.
(Ps, my rating is not showing, of-fucking-worse, it's 3 stars ⭐✨✨)
And man, I low-key hated every second of this starting the 80% mark. Or precisely the 68% mark.
Even a character I hated began to be more interesting than the main MC's.
Lastly, fuck Flynn, the biggest hypocrite of them all.
(Ps, my rating is not showing, of-fucking-worse, it's 3 stars ⭐✨✨)
April 12, 2024
I love small town romances, and Firecracker did not disappoint. 🥰 My only complaint is that it could've been at least 40 or 50 pages shorter. I don't mind long stories, I just don't like when they feel long, know what I mean? 3.5 stars
February 22, 2024
Just absolutely fabulous storytelling
I want to gush on and on about how brilliant this book is, how much I fell in love with Honeybridge and the people who live there.
I want to wax lyrical about the perfect way May and Lucy introduced JT and Flynn, about the rivalry between the Honeycutts and the Wellbridges.
I want to praise the use of humour, the UST and the pining, the fratching and the surrendering, the insanely hot sex and the emotionally charged lovemaking, the realisation of a bone deep knowledge that you've found your ever after.
This book has all the above and so much more that my words can't do it justice. This was simply so much my kind of book it's heading into the top 10 of my favourites.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via GRR Tours in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I want to gush on and on about how brilliant this book is, how much I fell in love with Honeybridge and the people who live there.
I want to wax lyrical about the perfect way May and Lucy introduced JT and Flynn, about the rivalry between the Honeycutts and the Wellbridges.
I want to praise the use of humour, the UST and the pining, the fratching and the surrendering, the insanely hot sex and the emotionally charged lovemaking, the realisation of a bone deep knowledge that you've found your ever after.
This book has all the above and so much more that my words can't do it justice. This was simply so much my kind of book it's heading into the top 10 of my favourites.
#ARC kindly received from the authors via GRR Tours in return for an honest and unbiased review.
April 3, 2024
Lucy Lennox and May Archer are THE best duo for writing small town fluff ❤️
Yes, I know - there are similarities to their other series - you have families with a lot of queer siblings, one or two older parent figures, quirky people, and a very lgbtq friendly environment. But you know what? I don’t care if the pattern is the same, it’s like a warm hug, comfort read at its best.
It might also be because I live in a more rural area and quite enjoy the slower pacing, so I get the appeal.
It’s the story of JT, who’s the Wellbridge family’s golden boy - living in New York, nicknamed “Rainmaker” because he’s known to make business deals happen. And Flynn Honeycutt aka “Firecracker”, who owns the local tavern and who brews mead, Honeybridge Mead.
To make it short: JT aka “Frog” (…long story…) has to strike a deal with Honeybridge Mead in order to get promoted. Problem is, he spent a night with Flynn 3 years before, and it didn’t end well.
I won’t go into details: the plot is a bit predictable, the drama, too (although thankfully it’s not blown out of proportion and resolved pretty quickly). It’s a comfort read, and it’s bound to make you smile.
Special shoutout to JT’s mother Patricia, who’s… well… something else 😂 A force to be reckoned with, and whom you’d definitely want on your side.
4.5 stars rounded up because reading it put me in a happy place 🥰
I’ll end the review with a few quotes that make me swoon 🫠
“It wasn’t that he completed me, or made me whole, or gave my life meaning, or any of that sentimental bullshit. I wasn’t one of Pop’s bargain-basement jigsaw puzzles with a missing piece, and neither was JT. But the way he supported and infuriated me, comforted and teased me, cared for me and saw me, made me more confident in myself than ever.”
…
“JT knew all the worst parts about me and loved me not in spite of them but because of them. And if I ever tried to run from the scary, overwhelming happiness we’d found together, I knew without a doubt that he’d drag me back.”
…
“I sputtered out something that wasn’t even a word but meant some kind of combination of oh hell yes and will your finger please marry my ass but probably sounded more like murpfh, because I was suave like that.”
Yes, I know - there are similarities to their other series - you have families with a lot of queer siblings, one or two older parent figures, quirky people, and a very lgbtq friendly environment. But you know what? I don’t care if the pattern is the same, it’s like a warm hug, comfort read at its best.
It might also be because I live in a more rural area and quite enjoy the slower pacing, so I get the appeal.
It’s the story of JT, who’s the Wellbridge family’s golden boy - living in New York, nicknamed “Rainmaker” because he’s known to make business deals happen. And Flynn Honeycutt aka “Firecracker”, who owns the local tavern and who brews mead, Honeybridge Mead.
To make it short: JT aka “Frog” (…long story…) has to strike a deal with Honeybridge Mead in order to get promoted. Problem is, he spent a night with Flynn 3 years before, and it didn’t end well.
I won’t go into details: the plot is a bit predictable, the drama, too (although thankfully it’s not blown out of proportion and resolved pretty quickly). It’s a comfort read, and it’s bound to make you smile.
Special shoutout to JT’s mother Patricia, who’s… well… something else 😂 A force to be reckoned with, and whom you’d definitely want on your side.
4.5 stars rounded up because reading it put me in a happy place 🥰
I’ll end the review with a few quotes that make me swoon 🫠
“It wasn’t that he completed me, or made me whole, or gave my life meaning, or any of that sentimental bullshit. I wasn’t one of Pop’s bargain-basement jigsaw puzzles with a missing piece, and neither was JT. But the way he supported and infuriated me, comforted and teased me, cared for me and saw me, made me more confident in myself than ever.”
…
“JT knew all the worst parts about me and loved me not in spite of them but because of them. And if I ever tried to run from the scary, overwhelming happiness we’d found together, I knew without a doubt that he’d drag me back.”
…
“I sputtered out something that wasn’t even a word but meant some kind of combination of oh hell yes and will your finger please marry my ass but probably sounded more like murpfh, because I was suave like that.”
January 22, 2023
Could have been 100 pages shorter!
Another small town novel from these authors with interfering family members.
Tropes: second chance, non-disclosure/communication.
Sex: edging for the win!
Story: meh and too long. It’s basically a Hallmark movie with snark and sex.
Characters: heat between the MC’s. Annoying family/side characters.
Audiobook: a great performance, but one I’ll never listen to again.
Another small town novel from these authors with interfering family members.
Tropes: second chance, non-disclosure/communication.
Sex: edging for the win!
Story: meh and too long. It’s basically a Hallmark movie with snark and sex.
Characters: heat between the MC’s. Annoying family/side characters.
Audiobook: a great performance, but one I’ll never listen to again.
August 3, 2024
Okay I had a lot of feelings reading this one. Sadly a lot of these feelings were some variation of RAGE 😂
Just to be up front, this is a me-problem, not a ‘Firecracker’-problem. Because if there is one thing that gets my blood boiling (and not in the good way) it’s misunderstandings, miscommunication and dishonesty about expectations and most of the book is… exactly that, from page one.
The whole history of the two MCs AND the present is one miscommunication and misunderstanding after the other. It’s the plot. Period. They are aware of that and it becomes a running joke between them that they are incredibly bad at talking about things and always have been and I was like YEAH, TELL ME ABOUT IT. Mix in an INSUFFERABLE meddling mother and there you have it: rage 😅
Okay, to be fair I wasn’t *just* angry. I did enjoy the small town vibes that May Archer and Lucy Lennox write so well, I loved the banter and rivalry between JT and Flynn in the beginning and their steaming hot encounters. I also sighed with relief when they started talking about their feelings EVENTUALLY - thank fucking god for character development - and their love story got really sweet for a second there. Untiiiil the inevitable and predictable third act conflict, where they picked up right where they left off regarding their miscommunication and distrust for each other: ‚Isn’t it time you stopped choosing the worst interpretation of his actions?‘ UH-HUUUH Flynn, duh 🙄
But of course, they were able to FINALLY resolve that whole spiel and got their HEA, but by that time I had been fuming for too long already to bask in their happiness 😅
I’m not sure how to rate this book, because I’m aware that other readers handle this trope much better than I do. So I dunno.. maybe 3,5⭐️? I’m going to be brave though and delve into the next of the series (‘Mr. Important’), wish me luck.
Just to be up front, this is a me-problem, not a ‘Firecracker’-problem. Because if there is one thing that gets my blood boiling (and not in the good way) it’s misunderstandings, miscommunication and dishonesty about expectations and most of the book is… exactly that, from page one.
The whole history of the two MCs AND the present is one miscommunication and misunderstanding after the other. It’s the plot. Period. They are aware of that and it becomes a running joke between them that they are incredibly bad at talking about things and always have been and I was like YEAH, TELL ME ABOUT IT. Mix in an INSUFFERABLE meddling mother and there you have it: rage 😅
Okay, to be fair I wasn’t *just* angry. I did enjoy the small town vibes that May Archer and Lucy Lennox write so well, I loved the banter and rivalry between JT and Flynn in the beginning and their steaming hot encounters. I also sighed with relief when they started talking about their feelings EVENTUALLY - thank fucking god for character development - and their love story got really sweet for a second there. Untiiiil the inevitable and predictable third act conflict, where they picked up right where they left off regarding their miscommunication and distrust for each other: ‚Isn’t it time you stopped choosing the worst interpretation of his actions?‘ UH-HUUUH Flynn, duh 🙄
But of course, they were able to FINALLY resolve that whole spiel and got their HEA, but by that time I had been fuming for too long already to bask in their happiness 😅
I’m not sure how to rate this book, because I’m aware that other readers handle this trope much better than I do. So I dunno.. maybe 3,5⭐️? I’m going to be brave though and delve into the next of the series (‘Mr. Important’), wish me luck.
January 13, 2023
4.5 Loved it Stars!! ❤️ ❤️ So yes, the plot is similar to Fakers from the Licking Thicket series which is like Honeybridge, but I still enjoyed it. The MCs Flynn "Firecracker" Honeycutt and Jonathan "Frog" Wellbridge have a generations old family feud, which has made them rivals since they were kids. As they grew up, with the rivalry there was also a bloom of undeniable attraction and chemistry. However, due to trust issues, misunderstandings and myriad other communication issues, they have never really gotten along for even half a day 💔. All that comes into focus when Jon aka "Frog" comes back to their home-town, Honeybridge to have Flynn aka "Firecracker" sign a lucrative deal for his Tavern. The bitter rivals disagree on anything and everything.. and yet the crackling heat between them proves to be irresistible.. and they give in to their desires.😍 The results are explosive 🔥🔥. But there is still so much standing in their way... Will Jonathan be able to get Flynn to agree to the deal? Will Flynn ever forgive Jonathan for leaving 3 years ago? Will they be able to resolve their trust issues before the summer's up?To get your answers and more, you have to read Firecracker 🤩
This is a typical LL & MA collab book; quirky small-town, lots of characters; large intrusive family, nosy, gossipy but ultimately good-hearted town-folk. 😱❤️. But if you've enjoyed their other book, I think you will enjoy this new book too. I am looking forward to Reagan's story 💕 in the next book. Highly recommended to all fans of LL and MA! 👍👍
This is a typical LL & MA collab book; quirky small-town, lots of characters; large intrusive family, nosy, gossipy but ultimately good-hearted town-folk. 😱❤️. But if you've enjoyed their other book, I think you will enjoy this new book too. I am looking forward to Reagan's story 💕 in the next book. Highly recommended to all fans of LL and MA! 👍👍
December 13, 2022
3.50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Classic Lucy and May. Likable MCs. Small town charm. Big families. Well meaning busybodies (but not too much). Sexy, heartwarming goodness. And happily ever afters all around ❤️
PS - I did cringe every time they used the name Firecracker though 😆
Classic Lucy and May. Likable MCs. Small town charm. Big families. Well meaning busybodies (but not too much). Sexy, heartwarming goodness. And happily ever afters all around ❤️
PS - I did cringe every time they used the name Firecracker though 😆
December 1, 2022
3 generous stars
Well dear god this felt like the longest book I’ve read in a long time.. at the 50% or more like the 58% mark I was already feeling this book drag out much longer than necessary..I’d say after the 85%ish mark I started to enjoy the book again…
Flynn…my god…if you could let JT talk the amount of miscommunication would be cut down by 100% hahah jesus.
JT’s mom was annoying as fuck. I literally hated her for almost the whole book. I don’t get why Lucy Lennox has the most annoying elderly women in almost all of her books, it really takes me out of the book. Like make more Pop characters and less Patricia’s…
JT, you really got shafted most of the book by Flynn, I’m impressed by your dedication to him when I would have left him a looong time ago…
Overall I’d say I liked most characters.. all of Flynn’s brothers (especially McLean, love the silent types)
Michael Dean did a good job narrating the book, without the audio.. not gunna lie this might have been a dnf…
Now I actually am hoping Reagan’s book is better than this one 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Well dear god this felt like the longest book I’ve read in a long time.. at the 50% or more like the 58% mark I was already feeling this book drag out much longer than necessary..I’d say after the 85%ish mark I started to enjoy the book again…
Flynn…my god…if you could let JT talk the amount of miscommunication would be cut down by 100% hahah jesus.
JT’s mom was annoying as fuck. I literally hated her for almost the whole book. I don’t get why Lucy Lennox has the most annoying elderly women in almost all of her books, it really takes me out of the book. Like make more Pop characters and less Patricia’s…
JT, you really got shafted most of the book by Flynn, I’m impressed by your dedication to him when I would have left him a looong time ago…
Overall I’d say I liked most characters.. all of Flynn’s brothers (especially McLean, love the silent types)
Michael Dean did a good job narrating the book, without the audio.. not gunna lie this might have been a dnf…
Now I actually am hoping Reagan’s book is better than this one 🤞🏼🤞🏼
March 16, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this.
Flynn and his vulnerability made my heart hurt! He's such a loving character who does anything for the people he loves, and the way he feels about JT just made my heart so happy! JT felt like a golden retriever who couldn't understand where he kept going wrong with Flynn throughout his whole life, but everything he was doing was from his heart and I just loved both of these MCs so much.
Yes there's a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding, but I felt like it really worked here because it felt realistic and not forced as a plot device. They are just two guys with big, lifelong feelings that they don't really know how to talk about because their parents never focused on giving them the skills they needed to deal with how they feel, and both think their interpretation of events is the truth. Their heart to hearts made my heart hurt for all of their near misses at being together in the past 🥺
I also loved the side characters (except for Brantleigh, what a fucking tool) and I am so intrigued to read more in this series.
Flynn and his vulnerability made my heart hurt! He's such a loving character who does anything for the people he loves, and the way he feels about JT just made my heart so happy! JT felt like a golden retriever who couldn't understand where he kept going wrong with Flynn throughout his whole life, but everything he was doing was from his heart and I just loved both of these MCs so much.
Yes there's a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding, but I felt like it really worked here because it felt realistic and not forced as a plot device. They are just two guys with big, lifelong feelings that they don't really know how to talk about because their parents never focused on giving them the skills they needed to deal with how they feel, and both think their interpretation of events is the truth. Their heart to hearts made my heart hurt for all of their near misses at being together in the past 🥺
I also loved the side characters (except for Brantleigh, what a fucking tool) and I am so intrigued to read more in this series.
December 7, 2022
⭐︎
4.5 Firecracker Stars Rounded Up!
⭐︎
A great start to a new series from these lovely authors.
I absolutely loved JT and Flynn together. They had great chemistry from the start. I just loved their connection and they had me hooked throughout this story.
They weren't enemies-to-lovers, not really. There was some good love-hate thing going on, but mostly it was Flynn trying to hate JT so that he wouldn't love him, because of many misunderstandings between these two and that Flynn is scared to be vulnerable with JT.
Also, JT never hates Flynn, or is never angry at him, so it's pretty one-sided as well. JT is just kinda *heart-eyes* for Flynn from the beginning. Flynn just lives up to his nickname of "firecracker" and then some.
I did give .5 stars off, mainly because near the end the drama wasn't al that dramatic, when in classic Lucy Lennox fashion, the narrative makes it seems like the Big Drama coming is gonna be SO big and then it ends up being pretty alright. I guess I just wanted more follow through on the drama.
Like there was little bit, but everyone actually acted like a rational adult and worked things out really easily. It just made things too easy, I guess.
But, other than that, I adored this story and the people in Honeybridge and all the Honeycutt siblings, ready for their own romances ;), and JT's brother, whose gonna get one next as well. These ladies, however unrealistic, do know how to give a great feeling of home-iness and quaint-ness to small towns, and a real sense of community.
It does definitely give the warm and fuzzies, especially with these men falling in love and settling down into their HEA's.
I highly recommend this. It was such a great start to this new series of these two authors who I do definitely adore. I absolutely can't wait for more from this series!
👍 Two massive thumbs up from me! 👍
A great start to a new series from these lovely authors.
I absolutely loved JT and Flynn together. They had great chemistry from the start. I just loved their connection and they had me hooked throughout this story.
They weren't enemies-to-lovers, not really. There was some good love-hate thing going on, but mostly it was Flynn trying to hate JT so that he wouldn't love him, because of many misunderstandings between these two and that Flynn is scared to be vulnerable with JT.
Also, JT never hates Flynn, or is never angry at him, so it's pretty one-sided as well. JT is just kinda *heart-eyes* for Flynn from the beginning. Flynn just lives up to his nickname of "firecracker" and then some.
I did give .5 stars off, mainly because near the end the drama wasn't al that dramatic, when in classic Lucy Lennox fashion, the narrative makes it seems like the Big Drama coming is gonna be SO big and then it ends up being pretty alright. I guess I just wanted more follow through on the drama.
Like there was little bit, but everyone actually acted like a rational adult and worked things out really easily. It just made things too easy, I guess.
But, other than that, I adored this story and the people in Honeybridge and all the Honeycutt siblings, ready for their own romances ;), and JT's brother, whose gonna get one next as well. These ladies, however unrealistic, do know how to give a great feeling of home-iness and quaint-ness to small towns, and a real sense of community.
It does definitely give the warm and fuzzies, especially with these men falling in love and settling down into their HEA's.
I highly recommend this. It was such a great start to this new series of these two authors who I do definitely adore. I absolutely can't wait for more from this series!
👍 Two massive thumbs up from me! 👍
December 18, 2022
3.5 Stars
I liked it, but the pacing was slow overall and the story felt longer than it needed to be. Still I enjoyed it for the most part.
I liked it, but the pacing was slow overall and the story felt longer than it needed to be. Still I enjoyed it for the most part.
November 30, 2022
If you've been waiting for a book to take you to someplace like O'Leary or Hobie, wait no longer. Honeybridge combines the best of both worlds in Firecracker, a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers tale that kept me up until nearly 4 am on a work night.
Flynn and JT are obviously fated mates, they just take a while to figure it out, and we readers get to follow along as they realize how perfect they are for each other. The ensemble cast is quirky and eccentric, as well as endearing.
As much as I enjoyed the Licking Thicket and spinoff series, this book is what I hoped for from a Lucy Lennox - May Archer pairing. It's funny and heartwarming, with a romance that's much like the mead it features - just the right amount of sweetness, but with a kick of heat. I'm excited for the next one!
Flynn and JT are obviously fated mates, they just take a while to figure it out, and we readers get to follow along as they realize how perfect they are for each other. The ensemble cast is quirky and eccentric, as well as endearing.
As much as I enjoyed the Licking Thicket and spinoff series, this book is what I hoped for from a Lucy Lennox - May Archer pairing. It's funny and heartwarming, with a romance that's much like the mead it features - just the right amount of sweetness, but with a kick of heat. I'm excited for the next one!
December 7, 2022
Firecracker (Honeybridge)
Honeybridge sounds like a dream town in a dream location, though it has two families who are a nightmare of sorts for the inhabitants to watch on a daily basis. There is a local legend that if any member of the Wellbridge family marries one of the Honeycutt family the feuding will end when both share a boat on the local lake.
Well they better not be holding their breath for matters to improve between ‘Firecracker’ Flynn Honeycutt and ‘Frog’ Jonathan Wellbridge.
Both these guys have been at loggerheads since High School, but secretly, they can’t stay away from each other. Always in opposition whether it’s a sporting activity or a social event in the town, they always want to beat each other. Every social meeting is confrontational with these two men.
Flynn’s grandfather Pop Honeycutt, seems to give nicknames to all the members of the family and the children who visit his shop so he has several grandchildren who have strange names. Flynn brews his own variety of Mead and wants to expand and with each new recipe and each variety it’s named with the nicknamed. Hence there’s a variety called ‘ Firecracker’.
When Horace, one of Flynn’s beloved granddads dies when Flynn is in his late 20’s he is devastated and hides away in an attic space but Johnathon seeks him out to offer his condolences. But it turns out to be a much more emotional situation and both men get carried away in each other.
However, Flynn, not trusting Johnathon, eventually pushes him away and says stuff to him that sends Johnathon fleeing from Honeybridge and he ends up in New York working for a company that likes to invest in up and coming small companies that need help to reach bigger markets.
Johnathon is top dog at his job so when Conrad, his boss, wants to send him back to his hometown to get a contract with Flynn’s Brewing enterprise, he definitely doesn’t want the task. But, when offered the post of Vice President if he succeeds in signing them up, he can’t refuse.
Unfortunately Flynn is not interested in even speaking with Johnathon and avoids all his efforts to talk about doing business. So here’s another confrontational situation between them and neither will give in to the other.
Johnathon has to back off and find another way to convince Flynn what’s good for him.
But does he know or realise what Flynn really wants for his business, for the town, his dreams for himself?
###########
The chemistry between Firecracker Flynn and Frog the Local Prince of the Wellbridge family, Johnathon, is undeniable. But Flynn does a lot of overthinking and second guessing, which I wanted to slap him for at times. At times the lack of communication between these two was so infuriating. Each knew they couldn’t keep away from the other on a physical needs level but couldn’t talk about what they really wanted from each other.
There are several interesting side characters and family members here that might warrant their own story which I hope will happen in the future, Alden, Cas, Alice to name a few.
I loved the setting and the interesting storyline between these two guys and you won’t regret grabbing a copy to enjoy the feud.
Honeybridge sounds like a dream town in a dream location, though it has two families who are a nightmare of sorts for the inhabitants to watch on a daily basis. There is a local legend that if any member of the Wellbridge family marries one of the Honeycutt family the feuding will end when both share a boat on the local lake.
Well they better not be holding their breath for matters to improve between ‘Firecracker’ Flynn Honeycutt and ‘Frog’ Jonathan Wellbridge.
Both these guys have been at loggerheads since High School, but secretly, they can’t stay away from each other. Always in opposition whether it’s a sporting activity or a social event in the town, they always want to beat each other. Every social meeting is confrontational with these two men.
Flynn’s grandfather Pop Honeycutt, seems to give nicknames to all the members of the family and the children who visit his shop so he has several grandchildren who have strange names. Flynn brews his own variety of Mead and wants to expand and with each new recipe and each variety it’s named with the nicknamed. Hence there’s a variety called ‘ Firecracker’.
When Horace, one of Flynn’s beloved granddads dies when Flynn is in his late 20’s he is devastated and hides away in an attic space but Johnathon seeks him out to offer his condolences. But it turns out to be a much more emotional situation and both men get carried away in each other.
However, Flynn, not trusting Johnathon, eventually pushes him away and says stuff to him that sends Johnathon fleeing from Honeybridge and he ends up in New York working for a company that likes to invest in up and coming small companies that need help to reach bigger markets.
Johnathon is top dog at his job so when Conrad, his boss, wants to send him back to his hometown to get a contract with Flynn’s Brewing enterprise, he definitely doesn’t want the task. But, when offered the post of Vice President if he succeeds in signing them up, he can’t refuse.
Unfortunately Flynn is not interested in even speaking with Johnathon and avoids all his efforts to talk about doing business. So here’s another confrontational situation between them and neither will give in to the other.
Johnathon has to back off and find another way to convince Flynn what’s good for him.
But does he know or realise what Flynn really wants for his business, for the town, his dreams for himself?
###########
The chemistry between Firecracker Flynn and Frog the Local Prince of the Wellbridge family, Johnathon, is undeniable. But Flynn does a lot of overthinking and second guessing, which I wanted to slap him for at times. At times the lack of communication between these two was so infuriating. Each knew they couldn’t keep away from the other on a physical needs level but couldn’t talk about what they really wanted from each other.
There are several interesting side characters and family members here that might warrant their own story which I hope will happen in the future, Alden, Cas, Alice to name a few.
I loved the setting and the interesting storyline between these two guys and you won’t regret grabbing a copy to enjoy the feud.
April 27, 2023
bit too cheesy as usual and not my thing but just what i needed after a month of murder and crime.
December 4, 2022
Firecracker and Frog
The characters in this book reeled me in from page one. There are lots of them but they are introduced in a way that wasn’t overwhelming.
Honeybridge has its small town charm and very eccentric residents. Flynn and JT have always been a part in each other’s lives. Both remember things differently and there are many misunderstandings but through it all there is a thread of caring there.
When JT and Flynn, finally let their guards down, sparks fly. They have hot chemistry. My only quibble was we were promised a certain scene and that never happened on page. A pity, really.
In the end, they realize their lives were much better together than apart. Differences are ironed out and love reigns supreme.
Sweet and sexy romance and I’m sad we have to wait so long for book 2. The premise sounds amazing though. Look forward to spending more time in this universe.
The characters in this book reeled me in from page one. There are lots of them but they are introduced in a way that wasn’t overwhelming.
Honeybridge has its small town charm and very eccentric residents. Flynn and JT have always been a part in each other’s lives. Both remember things differently and there are many misunderstandings but through it all there is a thread of caring there.
When JT and Flynn, finally let their guards down, sparks fly. They have hot chemistry. My only quibble was we were promised a certain scene and that never happened on page. A pity, really.
In the end, they realize their lives were much better together than apart. Differences are ironed out and love reigns supreme.
Sweet and sexy romance and I’m sad we have to wait so long for book 2. The premise sounds amazing though. Look forward to spending more time in this universe.
December 1, 2022
Wait a minute.. this seems familiar.. oh.. that's right.. I read this book already.. but it was called Fakers!!!!!!!!
December 1, 2022
What I’m here for:
- Gay Hallmark - childhood rivals turn big city exec and local small business owner clashing over the future of the business and the town. Meddling families and generations-deep grudges. Pot-luck dinners and tiny houses. Sweet vacations and grand gestures.
- The setting. Escapism at its most pumpkin spiced latte.
- The siblings. Give me books about all of them. Mac? I’d die for him.
What didn’t work for me:
- They spent too much time setting up the town and future books especially in the first 50% of the book. I had to switch from audio to kindle because there were too many names and places I felt like I needed to remember but couldn’t keep straight without looking at them.
- Speaking of names - everyone (all 54 side characters) had about 26,027 nicknames they went by. JT, Frog, Jonny, Jon, Wellbridge. Pollux, PJ, Daydreamer… the number of times I had to reread sentences because I was like who the f is this bitch? Too many.
- I’ll never understand how such “good” grandfathers can raise such ungrateful shitty kids but maintain near perfect relationships with their grandkids…
- The parents. Both sides. Chuck them in the river.
- A truly endless stream of miscommunication and reluctance to communicate/be vulnerable. Which, to be fair, makes sense for Flynn’s character given his ABANDONMENT ISSUES and trauma from having to “provide” for his solidly upper middle class family when his parents decided to fuck off on literal vacations instead of, ya know, putting food on the table for their kids. Not saying any of it was a good plot device, but Flynn’s bad behavior/communication was at least consistent with his (bullshit) trauma. So.
What I never thought I’d ask for but am:
- Flashbacks. I normally hate flashbacks but, if you’re going to write a second chance anything, bring me back to what happened and how everyone felt about it at the time not just how they view the incident now. Flynn seemed petty AF rehashing old issues (that were clearly misunderstandings) when I *think* if we saw into the mind of the 16 year old who had been ABANDONED (no I’ll never get over it) by his parents and was cheated out of a job, a science fair win & was stood up by a guy he really liked it would feel more world ending and we’d be more sympathetic.
Overall:
- I love Lucy & May on their own but together it’s like... Like when two extremely gorgeous people have a baby together and you just… expected it to be cuter? It’s like that.
- Was it good? Eh? Did it make me feel warm and gushy? Sure did. Will I read the rest of the series? Of course I will.
- Gay Hallmark - childhood rivals turn big city exec and local small business owner clashing over the future of the business and the town. Meddling families and generations-deep grudges. Pot-luck dinners and tiny houses. Sweet vacations and grand gestures.
- The setting. Escapism at its most pumpkin spiced latte.
- The siblings. Give me books about all of them. Mac? I’d die for him.
What didn’t work for me:
- They spent too much time setting up the town and future books especially in the first 50% of the book. I had to switch from audio to kindle because there were too many names and places I felt like I needed to remember but couldn’t keep straight without looking at them.
- Speaking of names - everyone (all 54 side characters) had about 26,027 nicknames they went by. JT, Frog, Jonny, Jon, Wellbridge. Pollux, PJ, Daydreamer… the number of times I had to reread sentences because I was like who the f is this bitch? Too many.
- I’ll never understand how such “good” grandfathers can raise such ungrateful shitty kids but maintain near perfect relationships with their grandkids…
- The parents. Both sides. Chuck them in the river.
- A truly endless stream of miscommunication and reluctance to communicate/be vulnerable. Which, to be fair, makes sense for Flynn’s character given his ABANDONMENT ISSUES and trauma from having to “provide” for his solidly upper middle class family when his parents decided to fuck off on literal vacations instead of, ya know, putting food on the table for their kids. Not saying any of it was a good plot device, but Flynn’s bad behavior/communication was at least consistent with his (bullshit) trauma. So.
What I never thought I’d ask for but am:
- Flashbacks. I normally hate flashbacks but, if you’re going to write a second chance anything, bring me back to what happened and how everyone felt about it at the time not just how they view the incident now. Flynn seemed petty AF rehashing old issues (that were clearly misunderstandings) when I *think* if we saw into the mind of the 16 year old who had been ABANDONED (no I’ll never get over it) by his parents and was cheated out of a job, a science fair win & was stood up by a guy he really liked it would feel more world ending and we’d be more sympathetic.
Overall:
- I love Lucy & May on their own but together it’s like... Like when two extremely gorgeous people have a baby together and you just… expected it to be cuter? It’s like that.
- Was it good? Eh? Did it make me feel warm and gushy? Sure did. Will I read the rest of the series? Of course I will.
January 12, 2023
3.5 stars
November 29, 2022
Firecracker is the first book in a fantastic new series by Lucy Lennox and May Archer. I loved the town and so want to live there!! All the quirky characters were so much fun to read. Flynn and JT were so funny in their banter and snark. Sweet with a perfect balance of heat all the way throughout the book. Second chance, frenemies to lovers, and sooo may misunderstandings. The competitions between Flynn and JT were top notch. The chemistry and connection were amazing! The family feud, the small town charm is a perfect blend of romance and hilarity! Overall, a phenomenal read! Well written with fantastic pacing that kept me engaged and hooked into the story!
April 4, 2024
Phenomenal series
Both this and Mr Important were fantastic
Loved both
Both this and Mr Important were fantastic
Loved both
April 29, 2024
Lively and funny, I enjoyed Lucy Lennox & May Archer's Firecracker. I haven't read the Licking Thicket series, and I understand this is a spinoff.
A real enemies to lovers romance like Lucy does best.
A nice performance in the audio version by Michael Dean.
A real enemies to lovers romance like Lucy does best.
A nice performance in the audio version by Michael Dean.
March 29, 2023
Quoi vous dire que c'est un vrai livre digne d'un quatre mains Lennox/Archer. Mes auteures américaines ont vraiment ce don pour faire des romances téléfilms que j'a-dore bordel de m**** 🤩
JT (Jonathan) Wellbridge revient dans sa ville natale, trois ans après sa dernière venue pour faire signer un contrat exclusif avec l'hydromel Honeybridge. Sauf que, à sa tête, il y a Flynn « Firecracker » Honeycutt, qui, depuis sa fuite après une nuit torride, le déteste encore plus que c'était possible. Deux familles rivales, deux ennemis d'enfance, des désirs enfouis, le cocktail parfait pour un livre explosif !
Qu'est-ce que vous voulez que je vous dise... Déjà, je ne vais pas convaincre les lecteurs de ces deux auteurs : vous connaissez leur talent, vous n'allez pas être déçus ! C'est exactement ce que vous imaginez que ça va être. Ce genre de série, je m'installe, prend mon temps et savoure mon moment.
Accord parfait entre tension, secrets, quiproquos, tension sexuelle et problèmes de famille, la construction habituelle de l'intrigue fonctionne à merveille, on sait comment ça va se finir, on sert les fesses à chaque fois que ça semble exploser et on les encourage à se sauter dessus.
Il ne sera pas au-dessus, cependant, du tome 2 des Vergers Sunday, si vous voulez vraiment mon avis, mais bordel que j'étais accrochée à mon livre !
Maintenant, plus qu'à attendre les tomes suivants.... Qui ne sont même pas encore sortis outre atlantique 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
JT (Jonathan) Wellbridge revient dans sa ville natale, trois ans après sa dernière venue pour faire signer un contrat exclusif avec l'hydromel Honeybridge. Sauf que, à sa tête, il y a Flynn « Firecracker » Honeycutt, qui, depuis sa fuite après une nuit torride, le déteste encore plus que c'était possible. Deux familles rivales, deux ennemis d'enfance, des désirs enfouis, le cocktail parfait pour un livre explosif !
Qu'est-ce que vous voulez que je vous dise... Déjà, je ne vais pas convaincre les lecteurs de ces deux auteurs : vous connaissez leur talent, vous n'allez pas être déçus ! C'est exactement ce que vous imaginez que ça va être. Ce genre de série, je m'installe, prend mon temps et savoure mon moment.
Accord parfait entre tension, secrets, quiproquos, tension sexuelle et problèmes de famille, la construction habituelle de l'intrigue fonctionne à merveille, on sait comment ça va se finir, on sert les fesses à chaque fois que ça semble exploser et on les encourage à se sauter dessus.
Il ne sera pas au-dessus, cependant, du tome 2 des Vergers Sunday, si vous voulez vraiment mon avis, mais bordel que j'étais accrochée à mon livre !
Maintenant, plus qu'à attendre les tomes suivants.... Qui ne sont même pas encore sortis outre atlantique 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
December 1, 2022
3/5⭐
I don't like May Archer's writing and I have a love/hate relationship with Lucy Lennox's books. I love Lucy/May MCs but absolutely despise their secondary characters in the forms of older women. I hated the totally inappropriate grannies in Borrowing Blue series and it comes at no surprise that I hated JT's Mom with a vengeance.
Like always with Lucy Lennox's books I feel like the ridiculousness and over the top-ness of the side plot is what keeps the book to being truly enjoyable. This book is also the epitome of miscommunication (spamming decades!!!) so if this is a trope you loath, this book isn't for you.
I found Sunshine and Moose (side characters) a lot more intriguing than the MC or the Reagan and PJ (who will get their own stories in future releases) and that's saying something.
I just wish these authors would stop writing super annoying and inappropriate older characters. They are not charming to anyone.
I'll continue with the series, because I'm curious about PJ's story (as ridiculous and unrealistic as it will be).
I don't like May Archer's writing and I have a love/hate relationship with Lucy Lennox's books. I love Lucy/May MCs but absolutely despise their secondary characters in the forms of older women. I hated the totally inappropriate grannies in Borrowing Blue series and it comes at no surprise that I hated JT's Mom with a vengeance.
Like always with Lucy Lennox's books I feel like the ridiculousness and over the top-ness of the side plot is what keeps the book to being truly enjoyable. This book is also the epitome of miscommunication (spamming decades!!!) so if this is a trope you loath, this book isn't for you.
I found Sunshine and Moose (side characters) a lot more intriguing than the MC or the Reagan and PJ (who will get their own stories in future releases) and that's saying something.
I just wish these authors would stop writing super annoying and inappropriate older characters. They are not charming to anyone.
I'll continue with the series, because I'm curious about PJ's story (as ridiculous and unrealistic as it will be).
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