Jennifer Blackwood writes some seriously hot firefighters! Holy smokes! This book is sexy, emotional, and so much fun!

Reunited ... and wow, it felt SO good! Sweet, sexy and irresistible would be the perfect way to describe firefighter Jake. He's a fun dad, a nice guy and sexy as all get out. I liked him a lot ... and Erin irritated me on occasion, but overall I liked them together. Fast paced, lots of humor laced in and an entertaining read all the way around.

Firefighter and single dad Jake Bennett found out long ago that he wasn't cut out for relationships. If he can have the fun without he pain, he'll take it any day of the week, but no more setting himself up for heartache! The stress of finding a "plus one" to his sister's wedding before his mother sets him up with someone is on ... but his luck is changing when his best friend's sister happens to be in town and just the person he needs to take along!

Erin Jenkins has crushed on Jake all of her life, but his life went on without a problem while she pined away. She's returning home to Portland for the summer just to help her mom out while she recovers from some surgery, but getting into a fake relationship that leads to more with Jake, might be just the kind of distraction she needs while she's in town! When real feelings start to flare and endanger her ability to leave when shes' ready, she not so sure she's ready for that!

Burning Up is the first in a 2 book series, however it stands alone well. Jennifer Blackwood offers readers a sweet romance with a little humor thrown in. I found it similar in genre to Jennifer Bernard's Bachelor Firemen series. It was light and entertaining with engaging characters. I will definitely read the next book as well.

Bonus points for this taking place in Portland, and I love the food cart idea that was there, gourmet PB&J is just such a funny and great idea. Erin left home at 18 and is back 10 years later to help take care of her mom following surgery, it is supposed to be for the summer.

Erin has had a crush on Jake forever...he was best friends with her older brother Reese (Please tell me he is getting the next book!). And when she seems him upon her return those feelings come hot right back to her. Their first interaction had me cracking up, and then she winds up as his date for his sister's wedding. Jake, has a 12 year old daughter and I love Bailey and their interactions with each other. Jake is only focused on his daughter and his work as a fireman....but Erin is posing a problem. In that, he can't get her off his mind. An almost hookup later and it is even worse.

I love a good best friend's little sister romance, throw in a long time crush story and you have a winner. This is an extremely slow burn though and you have some ups and downs but I love the side characters. Erin's family is overbearing (hence her need to leave the state) and Jake's family is so great...throw in the firemen and Erin's best friends and you have a great variety of characters. I felt each and every person served a purpose and you can't always say that for a book. The result is a winning book.

This is told in 3rd person, dual POV and I always love getting to be inside both of their heads, it really helps you understand their actions. In this case it is mostly through interactions with others, but I wouldn't change it!

Sometimes you run away from home only to find your way back there when you least expect it. Then while back home you run into that crush who happened to be your brother’s best friend. If things go the way you want them to…you find yourself flirting and….

Erin left home ten years ago to get away from her overbearing mother. Fate can be cruel at times and in Erin’s case it decided to end her teaching career in Cali and send her back to her hometown of Portland to help with the family business while her mother recoups…Talk about fate being evil at time.

Running into Jake her brother’s best friend and her crush may make this trip back home a little interesting. Jake is a single dad who dotes on his daughter and his life is his daughter. He is rather a little gun-shy when it comes to dating.

I enjoyed the flirting between Erin and Jake. The flirting was full of sparks; chemistry was not a problem for these two. They fit together like peanut butter and jelly. Slow build-up for the relationship. But that was okay.

The characters were likable and realistic with normal issues and problems. The dialogue was a little lost on me…I kind of like a normal banter between the main characters adds to the realism.

I liked it being a single dad it gave me a different take on the relationship side of things.I enjoyed this quick fast paced story. Hot firefighters are always enjoyable.

How do you take one of my favorite tropes (brother's friend) and make it better? Make him a firefighter. I swear Jennifer Blackwood can make any trope work for me - but she's definitely in her element with this story.

Jake - well let's just say I feel for him from the first chapter - He's such a strong character, he's funny, he's smart, he's a good father, a loyal man and he's been through a lot where women are concerned. I really loved watching him change from the start of the book til the end.

Erin is fun, feisty, and seems like she'd make a perfect best friend. I was hooked from the start on her character as well, waiting to see how things would play out. I love that she had her own brand of sass and I loved the interactions with her family. She truly reminded me of myself in certain ways and that made me feel like I understood her character better.

I love the spin Jennifer Blackwood brings with these characters and their story and how it sucked me in and held me captive, made me laugh outrageously at times, and also brought on the swoons and the heat - and I'm not just talking about fires here. I can't wait to see what comes in the next book of the series.

Unfortunately, I found this book...largely forgettable. I finished it because I was set to review it, but honestly it didn't hold my attention and I probably would have quit in the middle had I bought it or gotten it from the library.

Jennifer Blackwood is a new to me author but after reading Burning Up I can tell you I'll be going through her backlist. This book was a sweet, sexy read and had a hot single dad. How could I not love it?

I love the contrast presented between these characters. You know right off the bat there's some tension and conflict that can happen as Jake has roots and wants to keep them and Erin doesn't. He's trying to guard himself, she's trying to find herself again. Seeing that play out between them worked really, really well.

The sexy times were definitely hot and sexy. But these two had a great connection outside of the bedroom as well. I liked seeing how their relationship progressed.

I really liked this author's writing style. It was funny, smart and just enjoyable. The plot moved well for me and I really enjoyed all the characters (I say all because there are quite a few secondary characters). I look forward to what this author comes up with next.

This was my first read from the author and enjoyed it! Very wuick read - nothing earth shattering here but a good way to spend a Saturday. I thought the back third drug a bit but enjoyed the H and h. I didn’t realize this was a sister/brothers best friend troape which I love so was in my wheelhouse. Enjoyed the fact the H was a single dad. Feelings and concerns were very realistic. Overall a good read. Received copy from net galley for review.

This is one story with both heart and soul...the chemistry is palpable, the dialog smart, drawing you through to a perfect HEA. The story is far from predictable, with a few surprises, building emotions as they weave through the story. The author has a true gift in crafting memorable characters who have such captivating personalities...there is so much promise for more stories to come in the future.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Unemployed schoolteacher Erin Jenkins is back in Portland, a place she hasn’t called home for more than a decade. But when the opportunity arises for her to accompany her brother’s best friend to a wedding summer becomes a whole lot more interesting.

Firefighter and single dad Jake Bennett has built a nice, safe wall around his heart—no romance, no getting burned. That doesn’t mean he’s ruling out a fling. Considering Erin’s visit is temporary, they’re the perfect fit for a scorching no-strings one-night stand.

Now their hearts are on the line, and when their smoldering summer comes to a close, it’s going to be harder than ever to put out the fire.

3.5 Stars

Burning Up is the first title in the Flirting With Fire series, a slow burn, brother's best friend title featuring Erin and Jake.

Erin's best laid plans are question with the more time she spends with single father Jake. Their connection and chemistry is intense, but they both spend a lot of time questioning what they want out of life and from each other.

I enjoyed this title, but I didn't love it. Honestly at times the push/pull between this pair became a bit frustrating, but I enjoyed their banter. I would have liked a bit more to the ending as it felt a tad rushed.

This is the first book in this series by this author. This is another fantastic romance story from this author. This story has amazing characters, you just fall in love with. I just couldn't put this book down, it flowed really well. This is an amazing story with the perfect story line to keep you reading long into the night,. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.



Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Okay, so I have a little confession for you. When I'm finishing a book or if I need a change of scenery, I like to read a chapter or two in a new book. I tell myself that I do this to get a feel for the author's writing style, especially if the author is new to me. Turns out that is so far from the truth, it's not even in the same zip code. I do this to torment myself. What's worse is that I tend to do this when I'm about to go to bed. So now I'm suddenly sucked into a new book and any hopes of sleep goes flying out the window.

This is what happened to me with Burning Up. I knew Jennifer's writing style since I've read one of her previous books and I loved it. She's hysterical and I friggin' adore her characters. So when I thought it was a good idea to read a couple chapters of the book right before bed, I was immediately sucked in. I could not put this book down. The characters were so damn lovable. Jennifer's writing was laugh out loud funny. The sexy moments were sizzling. Seriously, everything about Burning Up was amaze-balls. Loved it!

A really cute story about falling for your best friend sister. Erin is back in her hometown for the summer and her family after all these years. A town that she was desperately trying to escape. Jake is her brother best friend and a high school secret crush. Both are now grown up, both very hot and with an explosive attraction between. At first, the bro code and the thought of his daughter are keeping him away from Erin, but she keeps popping in his mind and she can't stop thinking of him, in the end, they start summer fling that evolves in something deep. Buth Erin has a chance to return home, will love be enough? I loved the story, it is super cute with great characters, funny with a lot of hot sizzling makeout session and in the end great love story. It was great to see how had Erin changed her mind about her hometown and her feelings toward it. I am curious to see if there will be a story about her brother and best friend.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly.

*3.5 stars*

Sweet….

Erin is back, kicking and screaming, as she helps her family while looking for a job that will take her back out of her hometown. Jake is happily working and single-parenting, not looking for any complications in his full to the brim days. Things change though when Jake and Erin attend a wedding together. What started off as matchmaking avoidance suddenly achieves the opposite…

“The guilt-trip ship had sailed years ago, and now was left with a vessel named the Zero-S**ts-Given.”

I liked the characters in this new series from an author also new to me. Job struggles, parenting issues, family pressure – they were dealing with everyday things we can easily recognize. Well, the hotel room/porn station was definitely unique – and brought even more humour to Erin’s wry take on her situation. The chemistry built slowly between the main characters with Erin insisting she was leaving the moment she could and Jake equally insistent he didn’t want long-term.

With an easy writing style, low angst and simmering drama, it all came together for a satisfying, firefighter-filled read.

This book was a little so-so for me. I liked the characters and stories, but things seemed a bit rushed and couldn't completely connect to the characters.
*arc provided by netgalley for honest review

3.5 stars--BURNING UP is the first instalment in Jennifer Blackwood’s contemporary, adult FLIRTING WITH FIRE romance series. This is middle-school teacher Erin Jenkins, and fire fighter/ single dad Jake Bennett’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jake and Erin) BURNING UP follows the building relationship between middle-school teacher Erin Jenkins, and fire fighter/ single dad Jake Bennett. Erin Jenkins is home for the summer holidays having lost her teaching position in California to attrition and a lack of school board funding. Hoping to find something quick, Erin heads home to Portland in an effort to reconnect with family and friends, never thinking about the potential of falling in love. Enter her brother’s best friend and fellow fire fighter Jake Bennett. An offer of Jake’s plus-one for his sister’s wedding slowly begins to blur the lines between friendship and more. What ensues is the building romance and love between Jake and Erin, and the potential fall-out as Erin’s time in Portland comes to an end.

Erin Jenkins has no plans to stay in her hometown of Portland Oregon. Her life and friends are back in California but her heart will soon belong to a man whose just as lost as our story line heroine. Jake Bennett has been a single father for close to thirteen years, and has never crossed the line by bringing home a woman or fallen in love. Reconnecting with his best friend’s sister found our hero losing his heart to a reluctant Erin Jenkins.

Erin has lusted after Jake Bennett for most of her life but Jake was off limits in more ways than one. With her time in Portland coming to an end Erin hopes to find a new teaching position far from her family and the man with whom she has fallen in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text although the palpable sexual energy is more or less absent between our leading couple.

We are introduced to Jake’s fellow fire fighters: Erin’s brother Reese Jenkins, and rookie Cole ‘Hollywood’ Gibson; Erin’s sister Andie and their eccentric mother; as well as Jake’s daughter Bailey, and Erin’s best friends Madison and Sloan.

BURNING UP is a sweet story that introduces the players in the author’s FLIRTING WITH FIRE series. The best friend’s little sister conflict was limited-more of a worry than anything else. There are some funny moments in the hotel at Jake’s sister’s wedding including a family of raccoons who have taken up residence in our heroine’s room. The premise is fun and spicy but predictable; the romance is captivating and emotional; the characters are sassy and energetic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley


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Burning Up is the start to a new series, and what a start it is!

I loved Jake and Erin's story. She's had a crush on him forever--he was her brother's best friend growing up--but he shut her down years ago. As soon as she had the chance, Erin left town and has barely looked back since...until her mother's health takes a turn for the worse. Newly out of a job, she plans to spend the summer finding a new one as far away from her hometown as she can and avoiding her mother's meddling at all costs.

For years Jake's life has revolved around two things--his daughter Bailey and his job as a firefighter. He doesn't need the complications that dating would bring, but still jumps at the chance to take Erin as his plus one to a family wedding, if only to prevent a maternal set-up with her neighbor the cat lady. It's not like a relationship with Erin could go anywhere--her brother Reece is his coworker now, and anyway, she's leaving before the summer's over. It's just a friendly date, right?

Riiiight. ;)

I loved the two of them together, even if they took turns making me crazy. Jake's hesitancy to get involved with his friend's sister and to start something with someone who's got one foot out of town already was understandable--mixed with his undeniable attraction to Erin, though, it made him go hot and cold constantly. Erin spent the summer wishing she were somewhere else (literally, at one point--I loved the scenes at the town wishing fountain!), except when she was with Jake...and with her friends, and her family, and...gah! couldn't she just see how right her hometown was for her? (Not living with her mom, though. That's never the right choice when you're almost 30.) Watching Jake and Erin grow closer and let go of their fears was a lot of fun, and I'm anxious to get glimpses of where their relationship is going in future books.

Burning Up is only my second book my Ms. Blackwood but definitely not my last--I can't wait to find out what's going on with Sloan (Erin's BFF) and Reece. Fingers crossed that book 2 is theirs!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A good story overall. On the one hand there is sexy firefighter Jake, and his buddy's sister Erin, an out of work school teacher. A lot of sparks, but her whining about Portland and family got old after awhile. After awhile I couldn't see what Jake saw in her, but perhaps that is just me. Would recommend though, as would be an easy and quick read for summer.