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Rowan, whose nickname is King, is a firefighter with the Sky Ridge Hotshots. The book starts 6 years prior at the funeral of his former Sup. He’s there with his best friend from High School, Jacob. When at the funeral Rowan see’s Violette who is cold towards him and he calls her his greatest regret. After the time jump we learn that Jacob died on the job shortly after the funeral. Rowan blames himself for this constantly and even has been putting off a promotion because of it. I truly want to give Rowan a hug and for him to get some real therapy for the grief of losing his best friend. Violette, who goes by Vi, is the twin sister of Jacob. She recently moved back to Sky Ridge with her daughter after separating from her husband. She is working as a nurse in the burn unit which brings up memories of losing her brother. She’s also working a side job at Shifty’s to make ends meet. This is when she sees Rowan for the first time in years. She is not happy to see him and is still broken-hearted over their past. Even without knowing her past, I’m on Vi’s side. The book is written in Dual Timelines. The main timeline is present day with flashbacks to Vi and King’s senior year of High School. In the present timeline Vi hate’s Rowan and he wants to make it up to her. She calls him her “other ghost” as though a part of him is dead to her. This builds a lot of interest in the book because in the other timeline they are really close and it’s clear they both really like each other. So you really wonder why they are no longer on speaking terms. During the timeline of them in their senior year of High School Rowan is charming and clearly cares about Vi. Their first date is adorable and I love the way he boosts her up. Rowan is very obviously a good man despite whatever happened in High School. The way he wants Vi is sweet and so honest but he also knows whatever happened is his fault. You can tell that she’s been really hurt by Rowan. In the past timeline Vi is extremely self conscious. She doesn’t like her body and compares herself to the cheerleaders at her school. She is shocked that Rowan would want to take her out. Rowan stays consistent with his love/obsession for Violette in both timelines. During the present time, King falls in an ash pit and has second degree burns so he is taken to the hospital burn unit where Vi works. Going back to the High School timeline we learn that Rowan and Violette were so close to their happy ending in High School but something happened with Jacob that led to King ending things with Vi. I know whatever it was he made the only choice he thought he could and it’s written that way instead of making you hate him but I still hate it for Vi. It’s also written in a way that you cannot wait to find out what really happened. Vi is constantly on guard with Rowan in both timelines. She doesn’t think she’s good enough for him and then she doesn’t trust him. Sometimes I don’t like when characters are so guarded but Vi is so vulnerable in it that I love and understand her completely. Rowan and Vi have so much history with one another. The way that they cared about each other in High School was so sweet and honest to a first love. The way that Violette doesn’t trust Rowan in the present is valid but it’s not cruel and I think that’s important to her character. Their chemistry is beautiful and innocent while still being spicy. I can see this being a top couple for me. I do always love a second chance romance, especially when the reason for it not working the first time is something that was a little bit out of their control. This book moves a little bit slower than Fight did, but that's not a bad thing. Being set in two timelines does give it the ability to slow down without bogging on. It’s also a big of a slower burn since the broken trust between the two characters is deeper than Fight was. The dual timelines also lead to this book being compelling to read. All I want is to know why Rowan ended things with Vi and I want to keep reading until I get there. The parents being wingmen to both Vi and King are so cute. There is a lot of love in this found family and I love reading it. I also love whenever Xander gives Rowan shit for going after Vi because it gives big brother vibes but in a way that really shows how much he loves both of them. I said it in my review for Fight, I cannot wait to get into Xander’s book. You can feel the world that Pailey Hope built through her writing of Rowan on the job. The way she describes him being out putting out the wildfire is very clear and you can imagine it. When he falls through the ash pit and is dealing with his burns you can feel it. The second half of the book slows down a bit more with not much happening. It focuses on Vi’s dread of Rowan going on a call and her ex husband being the worst. It’s not bad that it’s slow but I do think the conflict could’ve been a little more interesting without it having to be between the characters. Troy slowly makes his way into the book and he is the worst. His lack of care for Hollie’s feelings is so frustrating but also is very realistic. My biggest gripe with this book is how the post car crash scene was done. I think it was very quick and sort of lacking in substance. I think if Troy was a more fleshed out character it would’ve been different but I also don’t need his POV. The way that Rowan is with Hollie and Vi is so beautiful and well written. He tries to be respectful of Troy but also doesn’t allow Vi or Hols to feel unwanted. Vi’s fear about Rowan’s job as a hot shot is valid after losing Jacob. The way that Rowan validated those fears but still made sure she understood she needed to speak to someone was very realistic. Paisley Hope’s writing style in this book makes it very bingable. Aside from the sponge bath scene, dialogue isn’t cringey even though it easily could’ve been in the High School timeline. It’s very honest and a bit innocent. In the end the way that this couple loves each other is so beautifully written. There is no third act breakup but there is still conflict with her worries about his job and her ex. But the trust that these two have for one another and their love is well done. It would’ve been easy for Vi’s trust issues to continue after the truth came out but the author chose a different path and I loved that. I gave this book 4.75 stars rounded up to 5 on vibes alone. I think that this book was near perfect. I cannot wait to read Danielle Baker’s book and finish out this series with Xander and Teddy.