Scan barcode
piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This might be my favorite Annabeth Albert series. The only thing that bugs me is that they call the baby a diva all the time which is just obnoxious. I love both Brant and Shane, their backgrounds, and how they negotiate that together and I like all of the little conflicts that happened throughout the story. I especially like the marking/biting kink and wish we saw more of it. It would have been really nice to see more of how they got where they did at the ending but I do understand that that would have probably been an entire second book so for it to end the way it did, works pretty well.
I also love how long this was and I desperately wish that all Annabeth Albert books would be this long.
I also love how long this was and I desperately wish that all Annabeth Albert books would be this long.
Content Warnings
Foster care, instability in childhood, the whole plot is based on a child abandonment
perachdavida's review
3.0
Solid and enjoyable, as is everything by Annabeth Albert, but not fantastic. Infants in romance novels are tough, because the idea that these guys have enough energy after a night of bottle feedings and a day of work/childcare to cook dinner, work on rehabbing the house, and still get it on is the other side of science fiction. As a longtime romance devotee, I’m good at suspension of disbelief, but as a mom, that one is a bridge too far.
enemies2lover's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookclubbitches's review against another edition
The dynamics of this book were just too weird for me. I wasn't enjoying the plot and I usually don't enjoy babies in romances so I should have known. But it's book 4 in a series I've been enjoying quite a bit so I gave it a solid try. But it's not for me.
mads0527's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jessmsamuels's review
4.0
My favorite of the 4 book Hotshot series. I pretty much enjoy anything Albert writes, but Up in Smoke felt extra special because of the high stakes (a surprise baby) and how much Brant and Shane really need one another.
It's described as a Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft, and that is certainly true in that it is a surprise baby in both men's life. But it is so much sweeter - as both men really grow into their role as caretakers, and respect one another for all of the strengths they bring to the relationship, and into Jewel's life.
Just when you don't think Albert can come up with another unique scenario for a romance, she does it again. A good read.
It's described as a Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft, and that is certainly true in that it is a surprise baby in both men's life. But it is so much sweeter - as both men really grow into their role as caretakers, and respect one another for all of the strengths they bring to the relationship, and into Jewel's life.
Just when you don't think Albert can come up with another unique scenario for a romance, she does it again. A good read.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
Story 4 stars (B)
Narration 4.5 stars (A-)
I've enjoyed all the Hotshots books by Annabeth Albert, and this was not exception. It was not my favorite, but still well written with likable characters. Children and babies in romances aren't my favorite trope, but Albert makes it work well here and Jewel felt pretty realistic. The way the two men learned to work together and share the responsibility was realistic as well. Perhaps it went a little more smoothly than real life, but still felt pretty honest.
I liked how the guys got to known each other and fell in love, but for some reason I didn't feel the passion there that I have in some of Albert's other romances. That knocked this down just a little bit in grade. Iggy Toma was, as always,excellent on the narration.
Narration 4.5 stars (A-)
I've enjoyed all the Hotshots books by Annabeth Albert, and this was not exception. It was not my favorite, but still well written with likable characters. Children and babies in romances aren't my favorite trope, but Albert makes it work well here and Jewel felt pretty realistic. The way the two men learned to work together and share the responsibility was realistic as well. Perhaps it went a little more smoothly than real life, but still felt pretty honest.
I liked how the guys got to known each other and fell in love, but for some reason I didn't feel the passion there that I have in some of Albert's other romances. That knocked this down just a little bit in grade. Iggy Toma was, as always,excellent on the narration.
xanthe87's review
4.0
Single dads is currently one of my favourite tropes so this story was right up my alley and I've enjoyed the Hot Shots series so far.
Brandt is totally caught by surprise when he literally finds a baby on his doorstep. Luckily, her uncle is right there with her as Brandt has no clue what's going on but then Shane's not much better off either since his sister took off one morning, leaving Jewel with him and the name of her dad.
Together, they learn to rely on each other for support as they muddle through learning what a new baby needs whilst dealing with the fallout out and figuring out how to move forward. With all of that going on, Brandt and Shane slowly act on their attraction to each other whilst being aware that they're both a bad bet on a future with each one having an unstable childhood and not being known to stay in one place for long.
Firstly, Jewel is darn adorable and how Brandt and Shane move everything to rake care if her tugged on my heart. I felt for them both as they've been, basically dumped with a baby neither of them had any knowledge of prior to that and just have to learn on the job. They do a great job and are able to recognise in each other when a break or help is needed. Considering they barely know each other except for a tandem skydive the year before, they make a great team. I liked how they took time with anything physical between them, needing it for themselves and because of the situation they are in. Both men have trouble believing that they are someone to stick around for with parents really not being a stable factor in their childhoods and so relying on someone else is something they both have to get used to pretty quickly.
I enjoyed how the story developed overall with Brandt's paternal side quickly developing and him becoming aware of his own mortality in regards to being a smoke jumper. Shane's story also takes priority with his music having been the main focus of his adult life so far. Jewel and Brandt soon take up his time but he needs nudging and reminding that he is just as important. It all comes together nicely and is overall a nice story that is paced well and has some fun and hot times between two good men.
I received an ARC via NetGally and am happily giving a review.
Brandt is totally caught by surprise when he literally finds a baby on his doorstep. Luckily, her uncle is right there with her as Brandt has no clue what's going on but then Shane's not much better off either since his sister took off one morning, leaving Jewel with him and the name of her dad.
Together, they learn to rely on each other for support as they muddle through learning what a new baby needs whilst dealing with the fallout out and figuring out how to move forward. With all of that going on, Brandt and Shane slowly act on their attraction to each other whilst being aware that they're both a bad bet on a future with each one having an unstable childhood and not being known to stay in one place for long.
Firstly, Jewel is darn adorable and how Brandt and Shane move everything to rake care if her tugged on my heart. I felt for them both as they've been, basically dumped with a baby neither of them had any knowledge of prior to that and just have to learn on the job. They do a great job and are able to recognise in each other when a break or help is needed. Considering they barely know each other except for a tandem skydive the year before, they make a great team. I liked how they took time with anything physical between them, needing it for themselves and because of the situation they are in. Both men have trouble believing that they are someone to stick around for with parents really not being a stable factor in their childhoods and so relying on someone else is something they both have to get used to pretty quickly.
I enjoyed how the story developed overall with Brandt's paternal side quickly developing and him becoming aware of his own mortality in regards to being a smoke jumper. Shane's story also takes priority with his music having been the main focus of his adult life so far. Jewel and Brandt soon take up his time but he needs nudging and reminding that he is just as important. It all comes together nicely and is overall a nice story that is paced well and has some fun and hot times between two good men.
I received an ARC via NetGally and am happily giving a review.