Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Honor starts six years prior at the funeral of Xander’s father. Xander is grief stricken over the loss of his father, who died on the job. Xander has taken over his role in the hot shots after his death. In present day Teddy, Cal’s sister, is pregnant with her third child. She is recently widowed after her husband Logan died on the job. After Logan died Cal insisted she move to Sky Ridge and into the unit next door to Xander. Teddy mentions getting nervous around Xander, in a good way, and that she’s attracted to him. Teddy goes into labor early in the book and Xander ends up delivering her baby girl in her home. Xander is attracted to Teddy and has been seen in previous books staring at her in a way that others notice. Due to his parents' marriage Xander doesn’t want to pull a woman into this life and hurt her the way that his dad hurt his mom so he keeps women at an arm's length. Xander is great with Teddy’s kids and always shows up when she needs him. He tries to take some of the load off and really steps up to the plate for her. Teddy knows that she has feelings for Xander but she ignores them because she promised herself that she would never date again after her husband died and on top of that Xander is a hot shot and his job is dangerous. Danielle Baker’s writing of the grief that both Xander and Teddy are experiencing is really beautiful and honest. Grief isn’t a straight line and it’s not always sadness. This book is easy to read without being too simple. The way it’s written you want these two characters to be together but you know that the timing isn’t right. You want them to work through their grief and be able to give each other their all. The town of Sky Ridge and the job that the hot shots have were already built by the other 2 authors in the previous books. Danielle Baker does a really good job of creating the world through the emotional connection of these two characters. You can feel Xander’s desire to help Teddy and you can feel Teddy’s attraction to Xander. Xander and Teddy were the two characters that showed up in the 2 previous books the most and I think it was handled really well while honoring the other two books which were written by 2 completely different authors. Xander and Teddy have instant emotional chemistry. Xander is so attuned to what Teddy needs as a mom even though she keeps him at arms length. I think that Xander’s patience is really well written. He understands what Teddy needs and will push her when she needs pushing but is also aware that she needs space. The town of Sky Ridge and the job that the hot shots have were already built by the other 2 authors in the previous books. Danielle Baker does a really good job of creating the world through the emotional connection of these two characters. You can feel Xander’s desire to help Teddy and you can feel Teddy’s attraction to Xander. Xander and Teddy were the two characters that showed up in the 2 previous books the most and I think it was handled really well while honoring the other two books which were written by 2 completely different authors. Xander has this idea that dating anyone in his current profession is wrong but even more a woman with kids. He has the habit of saying he doesn’t date single moms and you just want to punch him for it because you understand what he’s saying…but dude. Xander and Teddy have instant emotional chemistry. Xander is so attuned to what Teddy needs as a mom even though she keeps him at arms length. I think that Xander’s patience is really well written. He understands what Teddy needs and will push her when she needs pushing but is also aware that she needs space. His love language is acts of service and that’s what Teddy really needs. Teddy is self conscious of her body and is written as a curvy woman. Xander’s main goal is to show her how beautiful and wanted she is. The way he loves her body and doesn’t allow her to hate on herself is really intense and beautiful. This book definitely moves slower than the other two. There’s no real mystery here or secrets between the two characters. This is a book about an honest relationship after grief. The main conflict really lies in how Teddy lost her husband and the fact that Xander also is a first responder. The fight between them at the end is so heartbreaking but so honest and has to happen. I appreciate both of the point of views and think that the only way the book could end is exactly how it ended. Danielle Baker also wrote the side characters so beautifully. Teddy’s in laws love her regardless of the loss of their son and fully support her in everything. Colleen wing manning for them is adorable. There was also the opportunity to have Cal be an asshole about his best friend dating his little sister but he wasn’t. The moment he knows how Xander feels he supports them wholeheartedly. The found family in the whole series is well done. I rated this book 4.75 stars and rounded up to 5. I would highly recommend this series. It’s so beautiful in its exploration of grief and all three authors did a really good job. My overall rating of the series is 4.5.