Shannon Stacey has become one of my favorite authors! She writes great stories and seriously alpha men and strong females who can handle them!

Love this series! Always happy to catch up with some of the others when each new book comes out. Derek is another awesome member of this firehouse! I just love him! As a firefighter and divorced father of two, having anything for himself outside of his job, his crew and his children, Isaac and Julia, has not really been on his agenda. Until he meets Olivia. I love how they meet and then meet again. Olivia is a force for sure. I love that she is such a planner but the one thing she did not plan on was meeting Derek. She has a very interesting job and I love his reaction when she says what she does because he has no clue what she is talking about. Their relationship is not always the easiest and there are some bumps on their journey to HEA but Derek and Olivia have what it takes and have such wonderful chemistry in and out of the bedroom. Their banter is fun. I also love the dynamic between his kids and Olivia and how that plays out. And even the relationship dynamic with his ex-wife is something you definitely don't see very often. Really great addition to this series! I am looking forward to Grant & Wren's story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!!

DNF @ 42%. It's well written I suppose, it just has none of my preferred tropes and most of my "nopes." :/ If you like quasi-angsty romances about a divorcee fireman from a semi-rough neighborhood and a highly scheduled type-A entrepreneur with lots of divorce drama and class divide drama, this os the book for you. Lots of talking, super steamy sex scenes, both of them being inside their own heads too much, and more talking and more sex.

Under Control is another great addition to Shannon Stacey’s Boston Fire series about the men of Ladder 37 and Engine 59. This story is about firefighter Derek Gilman.

Derek is on his way down a high rise building when he asks a woman to hold the elevator for him. Just moments after the doors close, the elevator stops and Derek finds himself stuck with beautiful Olivia McGovern. But once they are rescued, Olivia scurries off to a meeting, and later they both regret not getting more than a first name of the person they were stuck with on the elevator.

A week later, Derek is attending a meeting for a non-profit organization he volunteers with, and as luck would have it, Olivia’s company has been brought on to help with the upcoming fundraising event. Under the guise of working on foundation business, Derek secures a dinner date with Olivia. And the rest, as they say, is history.

There are so many things I’ve loved about this series, and about this book. I love that these people have relationships that begin organically. No insta-love, no jumping into bed right away. These people actually develop a friendship before becoming romantic. Derek and Olivia aren’t coy or ambiguous about their feelings. They have a mature relationship.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t have obstacles to work through. Derek is divorced with two children, which is always a situation that has to be dealt with using sensitivity. However, I appreciated that the author didn’t go the usual route, with a messy divorce and vilifying the ex-wife. The crux of Derek and Olivia’s issues dealt with whether or not they could make the compromises necessary to blend two lives that were working fairly well on their own, and answering the question “is love worth making sacrifices.”

This whole series has been really good. The writing is excellent, and I’ve loved the characters. The heroines are strong and smart, and the heroes are kind and manly - without that over-the-top ridiculous, alpha male behavior you’d expect from a series about firefighters. And when the author could use the cliched, overused storylines, she never does and it’s so refreshing. While the stories do sort of build on each other, they could be read out of order - you’re given just enough background information on each of the previous couples to sort of know “what their deal is” but nothing that would ruin their stories if you go back to read them (these are romances, after all, so I don’t think anyone will be surprised when the couples end up together!). I have thoroughly enjoyed all five of the Boston Fire books, and am anxiously awaiting book six!

* thank you to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Carina Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I've been waiting for Derek's book.

I've never seen one of those movies either.

I wish she had waited for him to get out of the elevator.

Let's hope in five years you're not old to have those kids you want, honey.

Geez, this was not a love match, then. Why did they even get married?

I'd rather use that calendar under his mail.

Is everyone in her family divorced?

Sheesh, does she get the concept of joking?

I have no idea what in the heck she does for a living, but it sounds interesting, I guess.

Dude, learn how to operate one before you ask the firefighters who saved your butt to buy you a new toaster oven!

I don't think she's as snooty as he thinks.

I've never taken a taxi alone more than once. No way I'd ever fall asleep.

I feel bad that he doesn't feel comfortable in the house he paid for.

Who knew planners could be foreplay.

This is the funniest sex scene.

She cares more about her employees and her clients than she does for herself.

Aw, see? Cleanliness doesn't always have its place.

I'm with Isaac on this one.

She basically just told this woman that her job is more important than her husband's. And she doesn't even realize it.

All she knows about kids is from Hollywood? Hoo-boy.

Ordinarily, the man always pays, but she picked that fancy place, so of course she should pay.

I'm going to choose to think that you are distracted, Olivia, and don't actually think a child should be in the front seat.

She really shouldn't have kids anytime soon, if they can't be considered more of a priority than a meeting. You can't reschedule your kid.

They should talk more and have less sex.

Go Kelsey!

Well, if she's going to get offended by the assumption, maybe she shouldn't make it so easy for everyone to make it.

All this time, she's been trying to emulate her crazy, control-freak of a mother?

I love the epilogue. I didn't like Olivia for Derek through most of the book, but her willingness to compromise improved my opinion.

Derek Gilman is a happily divorced father of two and a fireman. His life is all about the job and making the most of the time that he gets with his children.

Olivia McGovern has built a very successful business teaching others how to better manage her time. She writes books, she lectures and she helps people and companies one-to-one to improve productivity. Her entire life is mapped out and meticulously planned. When she gets stuck in an elevator with a sexy firefighter and has a panic attack he manages to talk her through her anxiety and massages her twisted ankle in a way that leaves her more than a little flustered.

Derek and Olivia make no plans to meet, they don't exchange numbers, but fate crosses their paths once again when Olivia gets involved with organising an event for a charity which is close to Derek's heart. But can physical attraction overcome the disparity in their lives and incomes?

Of all the books in the Boston Fire series that I've read I think this one had the least plot surrounding actual fire-fighting and the fire house.

Although I liked this book I didn't warm to Derek and Olivia in the same way as I did Gavin and Cait (Hot Response) or Jamie and Scott (Fully Ignited). Derek was too hung up on the differences in their wealth and homes and seemed to think that because Olivia didn't have children she resented helping out with his children. Olivia on the other hand is living with the fallout from her parents' acrimonious divorce which still requires her to listen to recriminations and dramatics, no wonder she loved to Boston to get away from it. Can she trust a divorced man with children? And how will the uncertainties of a firefighter's work patterns and children fit into her uber-planned life? Overall I felt that the book needed some outside tension rather than the one-note angst about the difference in their lifestyles - that felt too much like navel-gazing at times.

Is the next book going to explain what happened with Grant and Wren?

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

After Reading Boston Fire 4 with its mystery I thought why not try Under Control. I do not like Romance stories they are all predictable and sappy.

This story starts off with a chance meeting with a control freak who has her life planned out from the second she wakes to the second she falls asleep. The man Derek is a fire fighter who life is always up in the air with kids and an ex wife.

Shannon Stacey is able to bring to life these two characters that struggles with their differences from life style to life choices. Every character has a purpose and a reason for being in the story. The characters feel real and the struggles will have readers feeling the characters pain.

The story slows down with sex scenes but several have very humors moments.

What I disliked was how the story seem to come to an end a little to abrupt.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Carina Press for the Advance Copy of Shannon Stacey Under Control.

Fun, funny and heartwarming.
Two people from very different walks of life meet accidentally by getting trapped in an elevator.
The attraction is immediate and mutual
but neither got the others contact info.
They are reunited by coincidence and the rest is their love story. Add in an exwife and two children. Yes, it's complicated but really beautiful.
I loved it.

Boston Fire is one of my favorite series. I’ve enjoyed watching these brave firefighters find their special someone, one by one, and Derek and Olivia’s story is a favorite.
Derek is fighting a fire in a high rise building and gets stuck in an elevator. It’s not a life or death situation but it is definitely an attraction situation since Olivia is in the elevator with him. She’s dressed to the nines so he already figured she’s out of his league. When his buddies pry the door open and extract both of them Derek figures it’s all over for any kind of relationship between them. Derek is endearing, so I’m rooting for him to find a way to keep moving forward with this woman he likes.
Olivia couldn’t be more different from Derek and endearing she’s not. She is extremely structured, down to carrying her planner and other files and folders with her at all times. It took me more time than it did Derek to find a way to love her, but eventually I did, and rooted for her and Derek to find a way to live their lives together.
Good story.

Single father who is a very swoon worthy, romantic, and very enticing fire-fighter? Oh heck yes is this going to be your next favorite read...


Yet again, another review that I am going to keep short and sweet. And also, yet again I have found another romance that I ended up enjoying from a brand new author. When combining a hot fire-fighter who has a heart of a true fighter who will never give up to be with the woman of his dreams. When sparks fly, everything is put together in one piece. Thank you so much to Carina Press for sending over a copy of this beauty! I am so happy I gave this author a try!

Oh, these firefighters. I've enjoyed watching them find their special someone one after another.

Derek is a stand-up guy who adores his kids and works hard to maintain a good relationship with his ex-wife. Olivia is an expected surprise and one who doesn't quite fit with him on paper. But they have chemistry. Lots of chemistry. Heck, they're just stinking cute together.

Where Derek has to deal with a certain level of chaos due to his jobs and his kids, Olivia's built her business on being organized and ruthlessly efficient. She's scheduled and cross-scheduled and Derek doesn't quite fit into her plans. But fate smiles on them and they end up in close proximity more than once and suddenly Olivia's plans start feeling a little restrictive.

But it's hard to let go sometimes and Olivia and Derek both need to figure out where they can meet in the middle if things are going to work between them.

I've thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series and Derek and Olivia's hit the spot. Sexy firefighters who do what they have to do to keep the people of Boston safe do it for me, apparently.

Derek is such a wonderful man. This is evident by the way that his friends, family and ex wife act around him. Olivia is not used to a divorced couples being friends. And then she actually likes his ex wife, which surprises her too. Under Control, is a super sweet book and I loved it.

I love the Boston Fire series by Shannon Stacey. It's one of the few series where I have all the upcoming books on my TBR, and not just the next one. In an effort to keep my Kindle and iBooks organized, I ruthlessly delete things after I've read them as I am not much of a re-readers. But I have kept all of the Boston Fire books at hand. Under Control is no different. Derrick and Olivia have great chemistry, Derrick's kids are adorable, and I hope Olivia's assistant gets her own book soon. I can't wait for Grant and Wren's book!

Under Control by Shannon Stacy is the latest entry in the Boston Fire series. I felt like this one read differently than some of the others...less danger and intrigue, more story about real life.

Firefighter Derek is participating in a drill and takes the elevator in a high rise. Now, we've all seen those signs about not taking an elevator in case of fire, so you guessed it...the elevator comes to a halt. Fortunately, he's in the elevator with Olivia, and he is attracted. But, once the elevator doors are pried open and he boosts Olivia out of the elevator, she disappears before he can get her number.

Derek is a sweetie. He's that big, lovable man who you just know will respect women. I quite enjoyed his character. Olivia's character was a little more difficult for me because she was uber-organized and time sensitive. That was part of her job so it made complete sense, it's just not me. What is best about this book, though, is that it's about two adults who act like real adults. They are attracted to each other and act on it, even while worried about how the other one will fit into their daily lives. There is no contrived drama, no suspense...what we get is a picture into two lives as they build a relationship together.

This book isn't as action-packed as some of the other stories in Boston Fire, but it is equally good. This is a firefighting team I want to read about for a long time!

Shannon Stacey's August 28 release UNDER CONTROL has an amazing, friendly relationship between the hero and his ex-wife. They're still friends and co-parents. He's genuinely happy about her finding a good man to be her new husband and their kids' stepdad.

Derek and Olivia are instantly attracted to each other so when they get stuck in an elevator it seems like fate. Derek is a firefighter and rather impulsive but Olivia has to have a plan for everything so even though opposites attract it can also cause problems. Can they overcome their differences and have a real relationship? Fun romance with heat.

Solid romance that unfortunately got bogged down by real life scheduling conflicts, which were very realistic, but not what I particularly like in my romance. There was just too much back and forth between locations and penciling in time for each other that it distracted from the actual feelings the two main characters had for each other so I lost my connection with them. I still enjoy this author and will continue to read her, just not my favorite.

I love this series by Shannon Stacey. This book was a little different than the others. Not bad just different. I liked how Derick and Olivia met and how very different they are from each other. It was a great story about how life likes to take your best laid plans and shake them up. If you have not read this series I highly recommend it, but I don't think you will be lost if you start with this book.

Since Shannon Stacey’s books deal with firefighters finding their better halves, it’s always a treat to find out who the unknown other half is in every book, as well as the very different story that Stacey tells for ever one of them.

For Derek Gilman, it’s corporate-highflyer Olivia McGovern who’s quite the opposite of his type, it seems, especially for a divorced man who’s caught up in his job and handling his 2 kids.

Past their first tension-filled encounter in a stalled elevator however, things past their second meeting fell into a bit of a lull for me despite their paths crossing repeatedly via mutual friends (the details of Olivia’s corporate career and the charity they were involved in didn’t interest me that much) as I impatiently waited for things to heat up between Olivia and Derek. And heat up they do, though gently and without any (unpleasant) surprises, even if I’d hoped for a bit more first-responder action.

The pluses here however, do outweigh the lull for me: the progressive, natural attraction between them, no clichéd evil ex running interference, no excessive denial of attraction or feelings; everyone generally behaves like the adults they are, working towards a happy home—all refreshing to read. Olivia’s fear of compromising her career plans with a relationship is her biggest worry; the fear of Olivia fitting into his domestic life is Derek’s, though the general lack of angst makes ‘Under Control’ an easy read without the overt strife that can sometimes accompany blended-family-type stories.

ARC received for review

Another great Ladder 37 and Engine 59 book. Loved see all the old gang again, and their help with Derek and Olivia.

Olivia has a life plan that doesn't include a serious relationship and kids when she meets Derek. She agrees to sex (smokin hot sex) but of course that leads both of them to the big L word, and heartbreak when it doesn't fit into her plan. And he's got issues with money (his lack and her not). Luckily for both of them plans can be rewritten and there's a happily ever after for all.

Now is the next book going to be Grant and Wren? I'm not so sure about her. She seems a little shifty.