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verloren918's review
medium-paced
3.0
(Note that the description on here is for the first book, Burn Zone, and not this one.)
I actually really appreciated being able to follow up with Garrick and his struggles after the events of book 1, as well as the slower pace and relative lack of direct involvement with fire stuff. Garrick is driven almost to the point of hurting himself, which can be frustrating, especially when his MO in life at this point seems to be "if there's a problem, ignore it and move on." And Rain is so, so patient with him. That man is practically a fucking saint. They deserve each other, and I mean that in a positive way.
As much as I sometimes have really big issues with Albert's books, she has no issues with representation from what I can tell. She has no problem incorporating people of color, people of varying sexual orientations, people with disabilities, etc. It's one of the reasons I keep reading her stuff. It's refreshing.
It's been a couple of weeks since I finished this, though, and I've already forgotten most of it, so that pretty much tells you how much it stuck with me.
I actually really appreciated being able to follow up with Garrick and his struggles after the events of book 1, as well as the slower pace and relative lack of direct involvement with fire stuff. Garrick is driven almost to the point of hurting himself, which can be frustrating, especially when his MO in life at this point seems to be "if there's a problem, ignore it and move on." And Rain is so, so patient with him. That man is practically a fucking saint. They deserve each other, and I mean that in a positive way.
As much as I sometimes have really big issues with Albert's books, she has no issues with representation from what I can tell. She has no problem incorporating people of color, people of varying sexual orientations, people with disabilities, etc. It's one of the reasons I keep reading her stuff. It's refreshing.
It's been a couple of weeks since I finished this, though, and I've already forgotten most of it, so that pretty much tells you how much it stuck with me.
runoutofpages's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks Netgalley and Harlequin for my free review copy!
I was so excited to jump back into this series and I was really interested to see what happened to Garrick after the end of book number 1!
While I enjoyed the first in this series a little more I still couldn't put this one down. I really liked how the realtionship between Garrick and Rain unfolded and I love how Albert didn't make us wait long for both men to figure out what they really wanted and be willing to discuss it openly with each other even though it was hard.
I thought Garrick's injury and feelings over his life were handled well and realistically and it added any extra layer to his realtionship with everyone around him that felt authentic and not forced.
I'm already looking forward to the next one!
I was so excited to jump back into this series and I was really interested to see what happened to Garrick after the end of book number 1!
While I enjoyed the first in this series a little more I still couldn't put this one down. I really liked how the realtionship between Garrick and Rain unfolded and I love how Albert didn't make us wait long for both men to figure out what they really wanted and be willing to discuss it openly with each other even though it was hard.
I thought Garrick's injury and feelings over his life were handled well and realistically and it added any extra layer to his realtionship with everyone around him that felt authentic and not forced.
I'm already looking forward to the next one!
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
This book beautifully examines the reality of life with a disability. Annabeth gives the reader a flawed but still deserving of love injured smokejumper Garrick, and Rain, a free-spirited man who finds that his adventures might just end up rooting him in one place.
I will add the disclaimer that I beta read this book for the author for disability rep, as I am severely disabled with physical mobility issues and swap between crutches, wheeled walker and wheelchair, although mine were not caused by a spinal accident like Garrick.
I will also say that I made miniscule changes to the narrative as Annabeth had already got the disability issues and the frustrations which go with living with a chronic and permanent physical mobility problem almost perfect.
The vast majority of comments were along the lines of oh God, yes, this is just how I feel, are you inside my head, or yep, been there, felt that too so I would congratulate and thank Annabeth for putting in the effort (as she always does with her research) to get it right.
As for the book itself. I loved both men so much. Garrick wants to get back to smoke jumping even though he really knows, deep down, that his chances are almost nil, and all Rain really wants, free-spirited though he is, is somewhere he can feel wanted and loved with all the complications that go with a relationship.
Their instant attraction to each other is complicated by Garrick's disabilities and there's no glossing over it, which I very much appreciated. I also loved Rain's wee bit of exhibitionist kink and his love of pretty underwear.
The family and friends who surround the two men are also lovingly crafted, Garrick's dad in particular was someone I absolutely adored because of his unwavering support, and Rain's gran and her mile wide streak of independence.
As for Cookie, the beautiful dog who starts the whole thing off, she's a total sweetheart and I always love books which include the importance of animals for companionship and affection.
#ARC kindly received from the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review
I will add the disclaimer that I beta read this book for the author for disability rep, as I am severely disabled with physical mobility issues and swap between crutches, wheeled walker and wheelchair, although mine were not caused by a spinal accident like Garrick.
I will also say that I made miniscule changes to the narrative as Annabeth had already got the disability issues and the frustrations which go with living with a chronic and permanent physical mobility problem almost perfect.
The vast majority of comments were along the lines of oh God, yes, this is just how I feel, are you inside my head, or yep, been there, felt that too so I would congratulate and thank Annabeth for putting in the effort (as she always does with her research) to get it right.
As for the book itself. I loved both men so much. Garrick wants to get back to smoke jumping even though he really knows, deep down, that his chances are almost nil, and all Rain really wants, free-spirited though he is, is somewhere he can feel wanted and loved with all the complications that go with a relationship.
Their instant attraction to each other is complicated by Garrick's disabilities and there's no glossing over it, which I very much appreciated. I also loved Rain's wee bit of exhibitionist kink and his love of pretty underwear.
The family and friends who surround the two men are also lovingly crafted, Garrick's dad in particular was someone I absolutely adored because of his unwavering support, and Rain's gran and her mile wide streak of independence.
As for Cookie, the beautiful dog who starts the whole thing off, she's a total sweetheart and I always love books which include the importance of animals for companionship and affection.
#ARC kindly received from the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review
twiceuponabook's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my second read from Annabeth Albert and she is quickly becoming a new favorite.
I would recommend this if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/m romance
-close proximity neighbor romance
-age gap
-friends to lovers
-an adorable meet cute involving a dog
-so much steam
-Two hot firefighters
-some fun in a hot tub
This is sex and intimacy done right. The steam is here to further to the story. You don't often see sexual disfunction conveyed in romance novels and here it was done sensitively and in furtherance as our heroes fell for each other and who knew it could be sexy? I can't wait to read more from this series
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 5
Trigger warnings: homophobia, traumatic accident
This was my second read from Annabeth Albert and she is quickly becoming a new favorite.
I would recommend this if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/m romance
-close proximity neighbor romance
-age gap
-friends to lovers
-an adorable meet cute involving a dog
-so much steam
-Two hot firefighters
-some fun in a hot tub
This is sex and intimacy done right. The steam is here to further to the story. You don't often see sexual disfunction conveyed in romance novels and here it was done sensitively and in furtherance as our heroes fell for each other and who knew it could be sexy? I can't wait to read more from this series
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 5
Trigger warnings: homophobia, traumatic accident
bookswithcassie's review against another edition
4.0
Wow this book is SPICY!! Garrick and Rain have amazing chemistry that just jumps off the page. I was instantly hooked into this sexy and surprisingly emotional romance. Garrick is working on recovering from a near fatal firefighting accident and I saw a lot of my own struggles in him. Despite my own personal connection to the story I think that everyone will find themselves caught up in Garrick’s journey. Rain is also someone that I really admired. He is so unapologetically himself and I love that. And I hope that we get to see characters like Rain more in books because he represents that men don’t have to fit into certain categories to be a man and that definitely needs to be normalized. I also appreciated how well Rain and Garrick communicate with each other and say what they are feeling and thinking. Of course, no relationship has one hundred perfect communication but Garrick and Rain come pretty close. This book is a lot of sexy, steamy, spicy fun with an amazing couple who showcase many different facets of what masculinity can look like.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
courtneyclaire's review
4.0
Very cute and well done.
I didn't give this a full 5 stars because there were some slow points where I think Ms Albert could have spent more time with us and the gentlemen in this story. There were also points I didn't find entirely necessary.
But if you're looking for a cute HEA. This is a good place to get it.
I didn't give this a full 5 stars because there were some slow points where I think Ms Albert could have spent more time with us and the gentlemen in this story. There were also points I didn't find entirely necessary.
But if you're looking for a cute HEA. This is a good place to get it.
annarella's review
4.0
First book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
An engrossing and entertaining plot, fleshed and interesting characters.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
An engrossing and entertaining plot, fleshed and interesting characters.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
charkinzie's review
3.0
This is book two of the Hotshots Series and you can read my review of the first book, Burn Zone on my blog. I loved the first book in the series. I was really caught up in Linc's battle with himself. He had made a promise he was struggling with and the tension in the first book was palpable.
I have to say that I didn't connect quite as well with this second book. It's much more lighthearted in a way than the first one. Garrick is still recovering from injuries he received in the first book. He's in physiotherapy and is switching between crutches and a wheelchair. When he arrives home one day to find an injured dog on his porch he wants to help it but it's scared of his wheelchair. He manages to get across the road to get help from his neighbor only to discover her grandson, Rain.
Rain is as femme, wild, and free as Garrick is serious, gruff, and masculine. The wonderful thing about Garrick's character is that he's not judgemental at all. He's come out to the people who matter to him as pansexual and is firm in his belief that everyone should just get to be who they are.
The two men strike up a quick friendship as Rain has offered to help take care of "Cookie" until they can find her a forever home. They are quite different from one another. Rain is very carefree. He goes with the flow around him and is often caught up in the moment. he dresses however he wants and can be a little overwhelming for Garrick at times.
Garrick is still struggling with a lot of physical things post-accident and, at first, he's pretty nervous about even attempting to be with a man. Through very gentle encouragement and a lot of sexual exploration, Rain is able to help Garrick find the courage to ask for more help with his disabilities.
The main theme in this book is about the struggle with decisions for the future when your feelings change. Garrick is older and he's pretty settled in his life in one way - even though he's still struggling with his physical recovery. Rain has always wanted to be a firefighter, he has spent his entire young life chasing after excitement and adventure. It's difficult to meet someone and want to invest some trust in them when that might mean giving up a dream.
I really enjoyed the supporting characters. It was great to see that Linc and Jacob are still happy. I really enjoyed their relationship in the first story so I was pleased to see them again. Garrick's father was another great character: an old school fella who was doing his best to understand his son's sexual orientation.
If you liked book one in the series, you'll probably enjoy this one. It's not quite as complex as the first one. I felt a bit more for Linc during "Burn Zone." This story has a lighter feel, with lovely and sensual scenes.
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