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Everyone in Rockhead Point watched in fascination as the Barnett brothers found their women, and their happily ever afters.
But I’m not a Barnett.
Instead of searching for my ‘one’, I’m dealing with a nightmare ex and being forced to move in with my new sister-in-law’s bestie—the most annoying woman I’ve ever met.
She’s permanently happy, she talks constantly, and I can’t stand her.
So why can’t I stop kissing her?
One touch and I know we’re meant to be, but it turns out she’s less impressed with my grumpy than I am with her sunshine.
Convincing her she’s mine means resorting to drastic measures, but I’m up for the challenge.
Forget the Barnett family legacy. Now, it’s all about the myth of the Montana Mountain Protectors.
But I’m not a Barnett.
Instead of searching for my ‘one’, I’m dealing with a nightmare ex and being forced to move in with my new sister-in-law’s bestie—the most annoying woman I’ve ever met.
She’s permanently happy, she talks constantly, and I can’t stand her.
So why can’t I stop kissing her?
One touch and I know we’re meant to be, but it turns out she’s less impressed with my grumpy than I am with her sunshine.
Convincing her she’s mine means resorting to drastic measures, but I’m up for the challenge.
Forget the Barnett family legacy. Now, it’s all about the myth of the Montana Mountain Protectors.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2023
305 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
Gemma Weir
56 books1,856 followersGemma Weir is a half crazed stay at home mom to three kids, one man child and a hell hound. She has lived in the midlands, in the UK her whole life and has wanted to write a book since she was a child. Gemma has a ridiculously dirty mind and loves her book boyfriends to be big, tattooed alpha males. She's a reader first and foremost and she loves her romance to come with a happy ending and lots of sexy sex.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
December 9, 2025
In order to convince her bestie to move up on the mountain, Tori Hoffman moves too. Into the place next door. With Nero Henderson.
Polar opposites, Nero is a textbook grump and Tori has the most cheerful and upbeat disposition that sends him into a fit of rage on sight.
Their endless push and pull kept things angsty. While it’s only book two of the new series, Scorch didn’t feel like it belonged. We eventually get to the “motivations” for Nero’s behavior. Yet to my mind, it never really fit with the “love at first sight” legacy that now rests with the mountain protectors.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥺😤🥳🥵😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult
✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Grumpy/Sunshine, Insta-Obsession, Opposites Attract
💫 Microtropes: Caveman Carry, Curvy Woman, “Good Girl”, Hand Necklace, Pet Name, She’s a Runner
🔆 Character: Chef/Baker, Firefighter/Smoke Jumper
💋 Kinks: 🍑, Biting/Marking, Cum Jammer, Dirty Talk, Domination, Edging, Finger Licking Good, Power Exchange, Spanking, Spit as 💧, Titty Fcuking, Toys as Teammates
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, OTT Hero
⛔️ Safety Squad: n/a
📍 Setting: Small Town
⚠️ Warning: This smutty read will have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
📣 Type: Scorch is part of the Montana Mountain Protectors series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Polar opposites, Nero is a textbook grump and Tori has the most cheerful and upbeat disposition that sends him into a fit of rage on sight.
Their endless push and pull kept things angsty. While it’s only book two of the new series, Scorch didn’t feel like it belonged. We eventually get to the “motivations” for Nero’s behavior. Yet to my mind, it never really fit with the “love at first sight” legacy that now rests with the mountain protectors.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥺😤🥳🥵😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult
✨ Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Grumpy/Sunshine, Insta-Obsession, Opposites Attract
💫 Microtropes: Caveman Carry, Curvy Woman, “Good Girl”, Hand Necklace, Pet Name, She’s a Runner
🔆 Character: Chef/Baker, Firefighter/Smoke Jumper
💋 Kinks: 🍑, Biting/Marking, Cum Jammer, Dirty Talk, Domination, Edging, Finger Licking Good, Power Exchange, Spanking, Spit as 💧, Titty Fcuking, Toys as Teammates
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, OTT Hero
⛔️ Safety Squad: n/a
📍 Setting: Small Town
⚠️ Warning: This smutty read will have you DoorDashing batteries for BOB.
📣 Type: Scorch is part of the Montana Mountain Protectors series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
February 12, 2024
Too rushed
Ending didn't feel solid imo. It deserves a second book or a longer book. I didn't feel Neros' love for Tori at all, and I think she was too accepting of the fact that "he didn't like her." idk because he told her so 🤷. Then her brothers appeared for about 2 seconds, and then we stopped hearing from Knight. This book had too many moving parts and then bam its over. Didn't feel like a complete book, just a rushed one. Sexy times scenes were okay but I didn't enjoy them because Neros behavior.
Sorry not sorry, worst couple in this long series (Barnett + firefighters).
Ending didn't feel solid imo. It deserves a second book or a longer book. I didn't feel Neros' love for Tori at all, and I think she was too accepting of the fact that "he didn't like her." idk because he told her so 🤷. Then her brothers appeared for about 2 seconds, and then we stopped hearing from Knight. This book had too many moving parts and then bam its over. Didn't feel like a complete book, just a rushed one. Sexy times scenes were okay but I didn't enjoy them because Neros behavior.
Sorry not sorry, worst couple in this long series (Barnett + firefighters).
November 22, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
We met these guys in the last story, and now it's their turn!
Nero and Tori are roommates now since his brother and her bestie moved in. And let's say it's tension and not good vibes. Since Nero can't stand Tori, she's too bright to bubbly just a bright person! And he's a grump cat who is just annoyed and little bitter with his past relationship.
As for Tori, she's just confused why no one likes her :( Poor girl is like, "What did I do?!? She tries to make things work, and it's hard because he's a douche a lot. Until he thinks she's dating his coworker. His inner caveman comes out. He's learning that he likes her talking likes her bubblyness, so now he needs to tell her she's his.
It's funny because they do sleep together, and she's all bye lil GIRL GHOSTED HIM!! 🤣🤣🤣 I love that she made him chase her. Even when she secretly wanted him, she put on that front. Plus, she was working on making her shop come to life. I was sad she didn't infrom her bestie her plans.
But I'm glad things worked out well for her! And her and Nero 🔥🔥🔥 the sexual tension the "fighting" everything was delicious I laughed at how jealous he got even when her bestie viewed her ass lol.
Idk who's next, but I can't wait.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, sexy times, no virgins (the H did try to take someone home but he couldn't because he was bitter about his past relationship)
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Push away from both
Masturbation
Praise kink
Tiny Degradation
Edgying
Don/subish tones
Force orgasms
Anal play
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
We met these guys in the last story, and now it's their turn!
Nero and Tori are roommates now since his brother and her bestie moved in. And let's say it's tension and not good vibes. Since Nero can't stand Tori, she's too bright to bubbly just a bright person! And he's a grump cat who is just annoyed and little bitter with his past relationship.
As for Tori, she's just confused why no one likes her :( Poor girl is like, "What did I do?!? She tries to make things work, and it's hard because he's a douche a lot. Until he thinks she's dating his coworker. His inner caveman comes out. He's learning that he likes her talking likes her bubblyness, so now he needs to tell her she's his.
It's funny because they do sleep together, and she's all bye lil GIRL GHOSTED HIM!! 🤣🤣🤣 I love that she made him chase her. Even when she secretly wanted him, she put on that front. Plus, she was working on making her shop come to life. I was sad she didn't infrom her bestie her plans.
But I'm glad things worked out well for her! And her and Nero 🔥🔥🔥 the sexual tension the "fighting" everything was delicious I laughed at how jealous he got even when her bestie viewed her ass lol.
Idk who's next, but I can't wait.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, sexy times, no virgins (the H did try to take someone home but he couldn't because he was bitter about his past relationship)
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Push away from both
Masturbation
Praise kink
Tiny Degradation
Edgying
Don/subish tones
Force orgasms
Anal play
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
August 25, 2024
Possessive
Ok this one for me is a maybe….. and really this time it’s the FMC that has me going….. not so much. The possessiveness is there, heavy into degradation and then praise, which is a turn off honestly but hey not giving a lower star rating because I’m not into that kink but it’s more how she at one point got upset- which I got, but when he pulled back and tried to show her respect and love she flipped out and said done. WTH, look you do you but don’t call a guy a @**h0l8 and complain but second turns sweet you want to drop. That character gave a little bit of whiplash, and the ending felt super rushed and a page epilogue that was so bland for real? Check your triggers before reading, if degrading not your thing I’d pass- he does praise but some of the stuff is a bit much….
Ok this one for me is a maybe….. and really this time it’s the FMC that has me going….. not so much. The possessiveness is there, heavy into degradation and then praise, which is a turn off honestly but hey not giving a lower star rating because I’m not into that kink but it’s more how she at one point got upset- which I got, but when he pulled back and tried to show her respect and love she flipped out and said done. WTH, look you do you but don’t call a guy a @**h0l8 and complain but second turns sweet you want to drop. That character gave a little bit of whiplash, and the ending felt super rushed and a page epilogue that was so bland for real? Check your triggers before reading, if degrading not your thing I’d pass- he does praise but some of the stuff is a bit much….
November 18, 2023
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: instalove
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
If you're looking for the perfect instalove that's a bit lighter on the plot and heavy on caveman smexy times, this will definitely be the book for you as well, lol. I have to be in the right mood for one of these, but it definitely scratched my itch. Loved the characters. Loved the hot smexy. Can't wait for the next one!
Trope: instalove
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
If you're looking for the perfect instalove that's a bit lighter on the plot and heavy on caveman smexy times, this will definitely be the book for you as well, lol. I have to be in the right mood for one of these, but it definitely scratched my itch. Loved the characters. Loved the hot smexy. Can't wait for the next one!
February 12, 2025
This one had a bit too much humiliation/degradation in it, plus I never felt like Nero actually liked Tori? She deserved someone better. And the plot lines of the Knight friendship and the brothers just kind of fizzled to nothing. Felt weirdly rushed for how long it was?
November 23, 2023
Torn on this one
So yeah, I am so torn. I liked the first book with the older brother because his character was just more believable. However, the MFC in the first book was by far the biggest idiot I've ever read. This book, I really wanted to like Nero. I liked him in the first book. I was excited about his story, but honestly he just turned into a raving lunatic. And I get it...that's what Weir writes about, but I just wish there was more balance in her books. More sweet intimacy. More reason for the women to want to be with these men beyond what they can do to the women's bodies. So if you want to read a book about hot s*m*u*t but nothing emotional, this is the book for you. I personally just want to read a book where I can actually root for the couple to be together. Three stars because Weir does draw you into her books, it just doesn't feel like there is a satisfying payoff.
So yeah, I am so torn. I liked the first book with the older brother because his character was just more believable. However, the MFC in the first book was by far the biggest idiot I've ever read. This book, I really wanted to like Nero. I liked him in the first book. I was excited about his story, but honestly he just turned into a raving lunatic. And I get it...that's what Weir writes about, but I just wish there was more balance in her books. More sweet intimacy. More reason for the women to want to be with these men beyond what they can do to the women's bodies. So if you want to read a book about hot s*m*u*t but nothing emotional, this is the book for you. I personally just want to read a book where I can actually root for the couple to be together. Three stars because Weir does draw you into her books, it just doesn't feel like there is a satisfying payoff.
November 18, 2023
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Happy Ending (ILYs and living together)
❗️Safety & Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Injury/Hospitalization (on-page,MMC)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 Slight OMD: An employee of FMC has a crush on her, but nothing happens between them. (FMC is not a virgin & it's mentioned that she's had great sex with her past boyfriends)
📌 No OWD: MMC has an ex-girlfriend who constantly sends him videos of her and two guys having sex. Ex does this because she wants MMC to join her harem. At the beginning of the book, MMC goes to a bar to find a hook-up. He meets a girl and goes back to her place. But, before anything can happen, he changes his mind and leaves. Neither of these instances causes any drama between MCs.
📌 Technically, there is no third act breakup.
📌 Seperation: MMC has to leave FMC for a couple of days due to his job.
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Happy Ending (ILYs and living together)
❗️Safety & Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Injury/Hospitalization (on-page,MMC)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 Slight OMD: An employee of FMC has a crush on her, but nothing happens between them. (FMC is not a virgin & it's mentioned that she's had great sex with her past boyfriends)
📌 No OWD: MMC has an ex-girlfriend who constantly sends him videos of her and two guys having sex. Ex does this because she wants MMC to join her harem. At the beginning of the book, MMC goes to a bar to find a hook-up. He meets a girl and goes back to her place. But, before anything can happen, he changes his mind and leaves. Neither of these instances causes any drama between MCs.
📌 Technically, there is no third act breakup.
📌 Seperation: MMC has to leave FMC for a couple of days due to his job.
November 27, 2023
4.5 stars!
Scorch is the second book in the Montana Mountain Protectors and features Tori and Nero. I will never not love Gemma's uber alpha heroes and her feisty and feminine heroines. We meet Tori in the first book as the bubbly best friend who decides to move in with Nero. She has big plans that don't involve complications and Nero can't stand her.
Or so he thinks...
Tori doesn't know why Nero hates her so much and Nero can't make sense of what he's truly feeling for Tori but one reckless intimate encounter changes everything. Tori loves the brand of loving Nero provides and Nero can't stay away from the woman that is his!
These two have a delicious push and pull. They go at each other in the best way with a smoldering fire beneath it all. When Tori doesn't initially give in to Nero about being his woman, he takes it to the next level and basically chains her to him.
I loved these two. I loved the steam and the OTT attitude of Nero even when he was an asshole. I loved that Tori was strong and gave it right back. I just really loved this story and can't wait for the other jumper stories. Nero and Tori were the cutest and the sex was HOT. Gemma does such an amazing job at creating engaging stories with heroes I love and heroines that you want to be besties with.
Scorch is the second book in the Montana Mountain Protectors and features Tori and Nero. I will never not love Gemma's uber alpha heroes and her feisty and feminine heroines. We meet Tori in the first book as the bubbly best friend who decides to move in with Nero. She has big plans that don't involve complications and Nero can't stand her.
Or so he thinks...
Tori doesn't know why Nero hates her so much and Nero can't make sense of what he's truly feeling for Tori but one reckless intimate encounter changes everything. Tori loves the brand of loving Nero provides and Nero can't stay away from the woman that is his!
“We didn’t just have sex. I had you pinned down, begging for me to fuck you while I played with your ass until you came screaming my name. We didn’t just have sex. You had my handprint on your skin while you strangled my cock and begged for more. We didn’t just have sex, you submitted to me and you loved it just as much as I did. We. Didn’t. Just. Have. Sex. We had a mind-altering claiming. I told you I wanted you. I told you you were mine.”
These two have a delicious push and pull. They go at each other in the best way with a smoldering fire beneath it all. When Tori doesn't initially give in to Nero about being his woman, he takes it to the next level and basically chains her to him.
“You’re my woman, Tori Hoffman. You belong to me. Mine to fuck, mine to own, mine to claim. When we’re done with your lesson, we’ll be packing up your shit and taking it home.”
I loved these two. I loved the steam and the OTT attitude of Nero even when he was an asshole. I loved that Tori was strong and gave it right back. I just really loved this story and can't wait for the other jumper stories. Nero and Tori were the cutest and the sex was HOT. Gemma does such an amazing job at creating engaging stories with heroes I love and heroines that you want to be besties with.
"I’m sunshine and he’s my rain cloud. I’m loud and he’s my perfect silence. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how different we are because I’m his and he’s mine."
December 4, 2023
I will start by saying I am a fan of Gemma Weir’s books in general, but when the hero can’t say he even likes the heroine until 60% in but will have sex with her constantly, that’s hardly a romance. The story was so repetitive, Nero constantly being an ass and doing the bare minimum to get Tori to forgive him. Stand up queen it can’t be that good 😔
December 31, 2023
I’m unfortunately still spiraling in a never ending book slump. This book didn’t break my slump unfortunately. It took me DAYS to read it. Normally, I’d have read this in 2-3 hours. I’m so over this slump, it’s not funny.
I actually zoomed through the first half of this book by it started to spin in circles from there. It has all the elements you are looking for rom Gemma Weir. Crazy, controlling, possessive, alpha male who growls more than talks and uses sex to control his woman. Unfortunately for him, his woman is pretty unimpressed with him by the time he whips out the sex so he’s got some major sex weapon work to do.
All the domineering sex is fun and all BUT it does get pretty repetitive and he remains solidly an asshole for nearly the entire book. The author tries , too late, to give them something other than sex. Unfortunately, there’s no time left in the book so we round out the epilogue with Tori *telling* us how they worked shit out instead of *showing* us - like she should have. Alas, the HEA doesn’t have the satisfaction it should. I truly don’t believe they will last long term and that’s a failure on Gemma Weir’s end.
On the plus side, his jealousy was top notch, he was even jealous of her female friend.
Fast burn, they start banging around 30% or so
No virgins
No big manwhore
Major push away from h
No ow|OM drama
No cheating
No breakups but he works 4 days on and 4 off with his job so he’s in and out.
HFN, at best
Epilogue (telling not showing)
Safety - H does attempt to pick up a woman in a bar early on but he backs out chalking it up to issues about his previous relationship.
I actually zoomed through the first half of this book by it started to spin in circles from there. It has all the elements you are looking for rom Gemma Weir. Crazy, controlling, possessive, alpha male who growls more than talks and uses sex to control his woman. Unfortunately for him, his woman is pretty unimpressed with him by the time he whips out the sex so he’s got some major sex weapon work to do.
All the domineering sex is fun and all BUT it does get pretty repetitive and he remains solidly an asshole for nearly the entire book. The author tries , too late, to give them something other than sex. Unfortunately, there’s no time left in the book so we round out the epilogue with Tori *telling* us how they worked shit out instead of *showing* us - like she should have. Alas, the HEA doesn’t have the satisfaction it should. I truly don’t believe they will last long term and that’s a failure on Gemma Weir’s end.
On the plus side, his jealousy was top notch, he was even jealous of her female friend.
Fast burn, they start banging around 30% or so
No virgins
No big manwhore
Major push away from h
No ow|OM drama
No cheating
No breakups but he works 4 days on and 4 off with his job so he’s in and out.
HFN, at best
Epilogue (telling not showing)
Safety - H does attempt to pick up a woman in a bar early on but he backs out chalking it up to issues about his previous relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2023
Not the best of the bunch
Tori is 29/30 and selflessly moved to be near her BFF so that she could move in with her now fiance. Tori and Nero 30s are forced to be roommates and Nero is not happy about this. He finds all of Tori's whole personality to be the equivalent of nails on a chalk board. He'll find anything to b*tch and moan about. This forces Tori to walk on eggshells and stay out of the house as much as possible in order to avoid any interaction with him. Tori likes to create new foods and asks Knight if she can borrow his kitchen, Nero starts to get a little jealous about this and accuses Tori of not so great things. In the middle of the argument Nero kisses her and thus begins the fall into crazy town.. will Tori and Nero fall in love or did Nero create unrepairable damage by treating Tori with such disdain? Guess you'll have to read to find out.
So I've read all 52 of the Barnett bros and Bucks book and I have to say Nero is the only one that gave me the ick. I didn't like how he treated Tori 96% of the book he expected her to like him when he outright said he doesn't like her. Meh I didn't care for Toris POV either just a lot of repetitive thoughts.. ooh this is taboo oohh I feel icky I shouldn't like this. But we're 300 pages in and I'm over her saying that.
Things I wished for more of.. knight he had like 5 words in this book but I wished his and Toris friendship was explored more.
Tori is 29/30 and selflessly moved to be near her BFF so that she could move in with her now fiance. Tori and Nero 30s are forced to be roommates and Nero is not happy about this. He finds all of Tori's whole personality to be the equivalent of nails on a chalk board. He'll find anything to b*tch and moan about. This forces Tori to walk on eggshells and stay out of the house as much as possible in order to avoid any interaction with him. Tori likes to create new foods and asks Knight if she can borrow his kitchen, Nero starts to get a little jealous about this and accuses Tori of not so great things. In the middle of the argument Nero kisses her and thus begins the fall into crazy town.. will Tori and Nero fall in love or did Nero create unrepairable damage by treating Tori with such disdain? Guess you'll have to read to find out.
So I've read all 52 of the Barnett bros and Bucks book and I have to say Nero is the only one that gave me the ick. I didn't like how he treated Tori 96% of the book he expected her to like him when he outright said he doesn't like her. Meh I didn't care for Toris POV either just a lot of repetitive thoughts.. ooh this is taboo oohh I feel icky I shouldn't like this. But we're 300 pages in and I'm over her saying that.
Things I wished for more of.. knight he had like 5 words in this book but I wished his and Toris friendship was explored more.
November 16, 2023
I loved this book.. the dynamic between Tori and Nero is so good. Their chemistry and spice is 10/10 but also the emotions of being in a new relationship ,where is confusing and passionate is very relatable. If you love possessive, dominant men, this is your book
November 18, 2023
Bloody love this series 🤌🏻
September 12, 2024
smut was great but that’s about it😭
November 15, 2023
✨ ARC Review ✨
Let me just preface this review with I love Gemma and all of her books.
This one was really fun. Nero is a grumpy smoke jumper who was roped into living with his Sister in laws Sunshine best friend Tori. Maaaan did he “hate” her at the start, even though he couldn’t keep his hands off her in the end.
I loved Tori, she was funny, and smart rolled up into a sunshine filled package.
Nero was a major alpha hole for a big portion. I was so happy when he finally got his head out of his ass and recognised how much he liked Tori as a person outside of their blazing sexual connection. Nero was insanely over the top in his jealousy To the point he didn’t even like women touching his girl. I loved that about him.
He made me so mad at first but he came back from it well.
All in all, I loved the book I just wish the end hadn’t felt quite so abrupt but that is my only complaint.
November 23, 2023
he was so mean like just hateful …. i would cry
July 11, 2024
Okay so Gemma Weir is either a hit or miss for me, but this book is definitely a hit!
I’ve gotten so tired of the same storyline from her Mountain Men (Barnett Brothers) series that it just became so monotonous for me to read one book then the next where the hero is instantly in love with the heroine, come hell or high water, and no matter what that’s it for them. It gets old pretty fast.
Hence I was semi hesitant in picking up this spin-off series of the fire jumpers because I know what I’m getting myself into to; but I’m so happy I pursued despite the first book being a flop for me (Boo, Blaze! Boring), because holy moly can Gemma Weir write a really good enemies-to-lovers with confusing sexual tension! I wish more of her books are like this, the way Nero got so antsy with how he’s feeling is just delicious to read!
Nero dislikes his new roommate Tori, who is his brother’s fiancé’s best friend. In the spirit of support and camaraderie, both the MCs agreed to live to together so James and Buck can be together. However, the hate sparks fly because Nero’s a grumpy asshole and Tori is a sunshine sweetheart. Absolutely nailed the sunshine/ grumpy romance trope.
I just wish Gemma would have trimmed down the spicy scenes though. I truly enjoyed reading more about Tori’s success as a pastry chef and how her things are moving more than her sexy time with Nero.
Gemma, if you’re reading this, please continue your good work; but also please make your heroines more like Tori who has dreams and goals, and is not afraid to back away from a guy just because he’s doing his damnest to make her dependent on him. I’d love to see more reluctance from the heroines, refusing to bow down to the caveman ways the heroes get when they stake their claim . More tension, the better. 😜
4.25 stars!
I’ve gotten so tired of the same storyline from her Mountain Men (Barnett Brothers) series that it just became so monotonous for me to read one book then the next where the hero is instantly in love with the heroine, come hell or high water, and no matter what that’s it for them. It gets old pretty fast.
Hence I was semi hesitant in picking up this spin-off series of the fire jumpers because I know what I’m getting myself into to; but I’m so happy I pursued despite the first book being a flop for me (Boo, Blaze! Boring), because holy moly can Gemma Weir write a really good enemies-to-lovers with confusing sexual tension! I wish more of her books are like this, the way Nero got so antsy with how he’s feeling is just delicious to read!
Nero dislikes his new roommate Tori, who is his brother’s fiancé’s best friend. In the spirit of support and camaraderie, both the MCs agreed to live to together so James and Buck can be together. However, the hate sparks fly because Nero’s a grumpy asshole and Tori is a sunshine sweetheart. Absolutely nailed the sunshine/ grumpy romance trope.
I just wish Gemma would have trimmed down the spicy scenes though. I truly enjoyed reading more about Tori’s success as a pastry chef and how her things are moving more than her sexy time with Nero.
Gemma, if you’re reading this, please continue your good work; but also please make your heroines more like Tori who has dreams and goals, and is not afraid to back away from a guy just because he’s doing his damnest to make her dependent on him. I’d love to see more reluctance from the heroines, refusing to bow down to the caveman ways the heroes get when they stake their claim . More tension, the better. 😜
4.25 stars!
January 5, 2024
I wanna start by saying I'm a huge fan of the Montana Mountain Men series. I wasn't super into Blaze but I was excited for this book. I couldn't even finish it. Nero wasn't an Alphahole, he was just a straight up @sshole. Him constantly saying he wants her but hates her and can't stand to listen to her talk or be around her but still wants to breed her was messed up.
Also, I'm for romanticizing red flags and bad behavior in books but it's never ok to have a character say no or stop and the man keeps pushing saying "your mouth is saying no but your body is saying yes." Nope. That's r@pe. Doesn't matter that you're saying it's consensual and he's not forcing her because he is. The fact that she ran away as soon as he was asleep and then puked because she was scared of his reaction when he wakes up isn't sexy.
I also couldn't listen to Tori go on and on about how ashamed she was of what they did and how it turned her on.
I finally had to give up when the cops were called because she was afraid of him but since the cop's sister is married to his sisters brother, they let him go when she was showing every sign of domestic violence and he even had his hand wrapped around her throat when they came in. Nope. This was a very toxic relationship and not in the good book way. I read the warnings page about how the author doesn't want bad reviews because the guys are @ssholes and make bad choices but this was different from the rest of the books and deserved the bad review. Sorry not sorry.
Sorry, but this was a huge flop for me and I won't recommend it to anyone.
Also, I'm for romanticizing red flags and bad behavior in books but it's never ok to have a character say no or stop and the man keeps pushing saying "your mouth is saying no but your body is saying yes." Nope. That's r@pe. Doesn't matter that you're saying it's consensual and he's not forcing her because he is. The fact that she ran away as soon as he was asleep and then puked because she was scared of his reaction when he wakes up isn't sexy.
I also couldn't listen to Tori go on and on about how ashamed she was of what they did and how it turned her on.
I finally had to give up when the cops were called because she was afraid of him but since the cop's sister is married to his sisters brother, they let him go when she was showing every sign of domestic violence and he even had his hand wrapped around her throat when they came in. Nope. This was a very toxic relationship and not in the good book way. I read the warnings page about how the author doesn't want bad reviews because the guys are @ssholes and make bad choices but this was different from the rest of the books and deserved the bad review. Sorry not sorry.
Sorry, but this was a huge flop for me and I won't recommend it to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2023
A fantastic second book
Ahhh, to be claimed by a Mountain Man!! Whew!!
I wish! *wink-wink*
Such an entertaining read.
There is something in the water in the hills of Montana. The Barnett insta love "curse" we love to lose ourselves in has jumped over to this group of guys.
Please read the author's "warning" at the beginning of this book, as she leaves no question to what these pages contain. I am consistently entertained by the behaviors of these OTT, controlling Alpha-holes, and dirty talking, grumpy Nero is a fantastic example!
We first met Tori in book one, when her best friend James hooked up with Blaze. Her bubbly personality made it easy to make friends with all the smoke jumpers... well, everyone but grumpy Nero. And when they find themselves living together- the differences and animosity between them is tangible (And so is the steamy chemistry!). This couple has chemistry that is undeniable and nuclear level HOT!! And for a while, that's all they have.
Until Nero decides that Tori is his, and we all know what happens next!! Sooo good!!
I encourage you to read this series (and the original Mountain Man series) in order for the best experience. I am such a fan of this author's creativity and craftsmanship with these characters. I absolutely loved reading this one, and I eagerly look forward to the next one in this series.
Ahhh, to be claimed by a Mountain Man!! Whew!!
I wish! *wink-wink*
Such an entertaining read.
There is something in the water in the hills of Montana. The Barnett insta love "curse" we love to lose ourselves in has jumped over to this group of guys.
Please read the author's "warning" at the beginning of this book, as she leaves no question to what these pages contain. I am consistently entertained by the behaviors of these OTT, controlling Alpha-holes, and dirty talking, grumpy Nero is a fantastic example!
We first met Tori in book one, when her best friend James hooked up with Blaze. Her bubbly personality made it easy to make friends with all the smoke jumpers... well, everyone but grumpy Nero. And when they find themselves living together- the differences and animosity between them is tangible (And so is the steamy chemistry!). This couple has chemistry that is undeniable and nuclear level HOT!! And for a while, that's all they have.
Until Nero decides that Tori is his, and we all know what happens next!! Sooo good!!
I encourage you to read this series (and the original Mountain Man series) in order for the best experience. I am such a fan of this author's creativity and craftsmanship with these characters. I absolutely loved reading this one, and I eagerly look forward to the next one in this series.
November 17, 2023
I don't know how Gemma Weir manages to convince me over and over to totally scratch my feminism from my mind but she does.
Nero is such a dick. I loved him and Buck in Juni and Teddy's story. But then you read their stories and they are very very hard to like and yet somehow, they are almost unbearably sexy.
This is definitely fantasy. In real life you would call the cops on all these men without delay but in this, if you suspend that you have some very hot sex and a fun story.
I have to say, Nero really grew on me throughout the book. He was an arsehole the whole way through, but he didn't actually in the end want to change Tori. I was worried she was going to stop being cheerful and loud but actually he acknowledged where he was wrong. It was good!
I wish we had seen a bit more chat with Knight. And the meeting of the brothers with Nero! I feel like we missed out there. Incidentally - I want a series on Tori's brothers!!! I also would have loved a bit more epilogue.
But all in all, this is so fun and so outrageous that you just have to go with it. I anticipate all of these books and read them as soon as they are out and sit back afterwards contemplating just why and how I can love them so much. But as Gemma always says in her warning - this is fantasy. Not reality. And that's ok!
Nero is such a dick. I loved him and Buck in Juni and Teddy's story. But then you read their stories and they are very very hard to like and yet somehow, they are almost unbearably sexy.
This is definitely fantasy. In real life you would call the cops on all these men without delay but in this, if you suspend that you have some very hot sex and a fun story.
I have to say, Nero really grew on me throughout the book. He was an arsehole the whole way through, but he didn't actually in the end want to change Tori. I was worried she was going to stop being cheerful and loud but actually he acknowledged where he was wrong. It was good!
I wish we had seen a bit more chat with Knight. And the meeting of the brothers with Nero! I feel like we missed out there. Incidentally - I want a series on Tori's brothers!!! I also would have loved a bit more epilogue.
But all in all, this is so fun and so outrageous that you just have to go with it. I anticipate all of these books and read them as soon as they are out and sit back afterwards contemplating just why and how I can love them so much. But as Gemma always says in her warning - this is fantasy. Not reality. And that's ok!
November 17, 2023
I'm grinning like a fool, thanks to getting this fix of OTT Alphahole that no one does better than Gemma Weir. I was worried when she'd reached the last of the Barnett brothers' books, that the well for perfect insta-possession and MINE! had run dry...absolutely not. The smoke jumpers are (oops) fueling the fires quite nicely. While the legend remains a common thread, Weir manages to make each couple and their journey, from zero to inferno, perfectly unique. This reader's twisted fantasies bow to you in thanks.
November 16, 2023
Holy hot
Find new Nero story what's gonna be intense but this was absolutely amazing I completely binged it I cannot wait for the rest of the guys and I really hope we get stories about Tori brothers
Find new Nero story what's gonna be intense but this was absolutely amazing I completely binged it I cannot wait for the rest of the guys and I really hope we get stories about Tori brothers
November 17, 2023
As always with Gemmas books, we have the over the top jealous and possessive MMC that we all love in our book boyfriends! Nero is definitely on the top of my favourite ones that Gemma has written!
The dynamic between Nero and Tori was excellent, and when these two got together - their chemistry was insane!
The dynamic between Nero and Tori was excellent, and when these two got together - their chemistry was insane!
December 22, 2023
Fun but Too Rushed, Nero is a moron
This was a fun, pretty exciting read. I enjoyed reading about Tori's development of the shop and further development about the other guys on the team.
While the slight "enemies to lovers" thing made it fun and thrilling, I do agree with some of the other reviews that it felt too rushed and at the end I don't really feel like Tori and Nero were that into each other or had a good connection aside from the physical. When it came to the sex scenes, I felt that they just got way too repetitive and gratuitous towards the end. The repetitive sex scenes actually made it a bit of a drag, even though I was invested in the story and all the other parts of the book were really enjoyable. I actually wished some of the sex scenes were replaced with non-sexual development of the relationship but I get how this might've been the way the author intended to progress it.
Would have loved if their story got a longer book or was split up into two, because the enemies to lovers thing needed more time to cook and make the romantic aspect of their relationship more believable. Unlike James and Buck, I actually don't want Tori and Nero to stay together because Nero never really redeemed his "asshole" behaviour and Tori was still apprehensive towards him (outside of sex). I felt like Tori still saw Nero as some spicy fling at the end and not a long-term partner.
Overall, this was still a super fun book to read and I am looking forward to the next instalments in the series. This is actually the first series of Gemma Weir that I read and am looking forward to reading more books by her!
This was a fun, pretty exciting read. I enjoyed reading about Tori's development of the shop and further development about the other guys on the team.
While the slight "enemies to lovers" thing made it fun and thrilling, I do agree with some of the other reviews that it felt too rushed and at the end I don't really feel like Tori and Nero were that into each other or had a good connection aside from the physical. When it came to the sex scenes, I felt that they just got way too repetitive and gratuitous towards the end. The repetitive sex scenes actually made it a bit of a drag, even though I was invested in the story and all the other parts of the book were really enjoyable. I actually wished some of the sex scenes were replaced with non-sexual development of the relationship but I get how this might've been the way the author intended to progress it.
Would have loved if their story got a longer book or was split up into two, because the enemies to lovers thing needed more time to cook and make the romantic aspect of their relationship more believable. Unlike James and Buck, I actually don't want Tori and Nero to stay together because Nero never really redeemed his "asshole" behaviour and Tori was still apprehensive towards him (outside of sex). I felt like Tori still saw Nero as some spicy fling at the end and not a long-term partner.
Overall, this was still a super fun book to read and I am looking forward to the next instalments in the series. This is actually the first series of Gemma Weir that I read and am looking forward to reading more books by her!
November 17, 2023
Up and down
I want to love it. I want to give it 5 stars. I want to say it was one of her best. And it nearly is. But…
I just don’t like Nero. Oh man, all Gemma’s mountain men are flawed and possessive and a few are down right idiots…but none of them say such horrible things throughout 96% of the book as Nero. I just don’t believe that this is a happily ever after relationship.
Tori is a darling. Her characters grows and develops and it’s really beautiful to read when she’s not under Nero’s spell. But when he comes along it’s like she regresses and not in a good way.
I do love the book. Honestly I will probably read it again and again because I do with all of Gemma’s books, it’s just I’m not sure about Nero.
Change my kind, please, someone, anyone…!
I want to love it. I want to give it 5 stars. I want to say it was one of her best. And it nearly is. But…
I just don’t like Nero. Oh man, all Gemma’s mountain men are flawed and possessive and a few are down right idiots…but none of them say such horrible things throughout 96% of the book as Nero. I just don’t believe that this is a happily ever after relationship.
Tori is a darling. Her characters grows and develops and it’s really beautiful to read when she’s not under Nero’s spell. But when he comes along it’s like she regresses and not in a good way.
I do love the book. Honestly I will probably read it again and again because I do with all of Gemma’s books, it’s just I’m not sure about Nero.
Change my kind, please, someone, anyone…!
December 1, 2023
Not a fan of degradation kink at all.
Can't say I'm a fan of Nero either. He is an asshole and really doesn't have anything redeeming about him. I think Tori is just dickmatized.
Can't say I'm a fan of Nero either. He is an asshole and really doesn't have anything redeeming about him. I think Tori is just dickmatized.
March 2, 2024
yeah im pissed. i LOVEDDDDDD the other Mountain Mountain Man books but this was utter dog shit. excuse my language. you know im pissed when i literally gave all the other books 3-4 stars but this one is getting a mere 2 star rating.
the H in this one was an utter douchebag. literally has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. and TRUST, i loved my crazy, psychotic Montana Mountain Men but Nero is so dicky. first off, him and Tori (our heroine) move in together so that their friends (the couple from the first book) can be together. Nero is such a dickhead to Tori through probably 50% of the book. constantly berating her and just being AWFUL when she does literally nothing to him and is actually an angel. he finds something about her to bitch about and says shit like he can't stand to hear her talk, he hates her, she's so annoying to him, etc. LIKE EXCUSEEEEEE ME???? this is NOT a quality that Montana Mountain Men have. this is utter bullshit. then Nero constantly screams at Tori for every little thing so when she avoids him, he screams at her too. like you can NEVERRRR win with him. this man needs to be checked into a facility. hes utter batshit crazy.
during one of their arguments (not even an argument bc Tori stands there and takes a fucking yelling by Nero 🙄) he suddenly kisses her and ofc she kisses him back. like girl stand up and slap him! this made me so angry then they have sex. then the next day he's fucking horrible to her again and insinuates that he can only stand her when she's not talking and when they are fucking. isn't this horrible? again, GIRL STAND UP!
blah blah blah, Nero treats her like crap and only uses her body then all of a sudden he's hit by the Montana Mountain Man curse and is so possessive over her and NOT in a cute way. he also doesn't know one thing about her bc he never listens and only fucks her so he's surprised when he gets to know her and finds out her dreams (well duh if you would have stopped screaming and saying that you hate it when she opens her mouth) like this just infuriates me.
Nero is NOT a Montana Mountain Man. Montana Mountain Men are so utterly obsessed with their women and love everything about their women and would NEVER tell their women they hate hearing her talk, like Nero did to Tori. Tori deserves sm better!
safety (from what i remember): no owd/omd, no virgins
the H in this one was an utter douchebag. literally has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. and TRUST, i loved my crazy, psychotic Montana Mountain Men but Nero is so dicky. first off, him and Tori (our heroine) move in together so that their friends (the couple from the first book) can be together. Nero is such a dickhead to Tori through probably 50% of the book. constantly berating her and just being AWFUL when she does literally nothing to him and is actually an angel. he finds something about her to bitch about and says shit like he can't stand to hear her talk, he hates her, she's so annoying to him, etc. LIKE EXCUSEEEEEE ME???? this is NOT a quality that Montana Mountain Men have. this is utter bullshit. then Nero constantly screams at Tori for every little thing so when she avoids him, he screams at her too. like you can NEVERRRR win with him. this man needs to be checked into a facility. hes utter batshit crazy.
during one of their arguments (not even an argument bc Tori stands there and takes a fucking yelling by Nero 🙄) he suddenly kisses her and ofc she kisses him back. like girl stand up and slap him! this made me so angry then they have sex. then the next day he's fucking horrible to her again and insinuates that he can only stand her when she's not talking and when they are fucking. isn't this horrible? again, GIRL STAND UP!
blah blah blah, Nero treats her like crap and only uses her body then all of a sudden he's hit by the Montana Mountain Man curse and is so possessive over her and NOT in a cute way. he also doesn't know one thing about her bc he never listens and only fucks her so he's surprised when he gets to know her and finds out her dreams (well duh if you would have stopped screaming and saying that you hate it when she opens her mouth) like this just infuriates me.
Nero is NOT a Montana Mountain Man. Montana Mountain Men are so utterly obsessed with their women and love everything about their women and would NEVER tell their women they hate hearing her talk, like Nero did to Tori. Tori deserves sm better!
safety (from what i remember): no owd/omd, no virgins
March 3, 2024
Low 3. Again I love the writing, I love the idea, but I didn’t like this execution. They only had sex, they didn’t have a relationship. Any time Tori tried to mention that they didn’t know each other and he didn’t like her he brushed it off and brought it back around to sex. If they actually talked more and got to know each other then maybe it would’ve been believeable but really what do they know about each other? Nothing. He found out she was close with her brothers through someone else and even tho he was told she was a chef and baker he didn’t believe it and boiled it down to her selling cookies and muffins. She knew literally nothing about him except that he was an asshole. That was mentioned so many times, by both of them, that there’s no way someone could forget he’s an asshole. And the thing is he wasn’t an asshole who showed redeeming qualities and put her first, he was just a straight up asshole. She was 10x more honest with her brothers than him about how she felt and that’s something that she should’ve told him. She was scared she’d lose herself and change who she was bc she knew he didn’t like her bc he said he didn’t like her. He would say they needed to talk and then he’d make it about sex. She wouldn’t make it about sex, she’d try to say he didn’t like her but he’d go right back to making it about their sexual compatibility. It was stupid. He mentioned his ex a lot in his thoughts or to his brother but not mentioning it to her was a missed opportunity. I think if they actually got to know each other it could work. Be a real grumpy/sunshine thing where they fit and he loved her happy. But they didn’t know each other and instead of liking her happy and like she was he just knew he didn’t like her quiet or sad. That’s different. That’s probably just his guilt finally getting to him. It had potential but in the end it was lacking. I only gave it low 3 stars bc I read it and was entertained. I just wish there was less sex and more relationship. I honestly skipped whole pages bc the sex was way too much to be enjoyable. Tori said that sex was only one part of a relationship and unfortunately that was the only part of theirs we saw. So their “love” wasn’t love. If anything it was lust and a little bit of obsession.
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