Apologies for the late response on this title, and apologies for clogging up an inbox on old titles.

While I am aware it's obvious, I have chosen not to read/review this title.

As always, I appreciate access to titles and look forward to the next one...which I have likely already read based on how long ago this title was published.

Thanks, again.

This one could have easily been a novella. This book was filled with completely inconsequential conversations and filler moments. None of which I thought added depth or layers to the characters and their relationships with one another. I couldn't care less about the romance because I was so frustrated with everything else. This one was not for me, and I don't know if I will be trying this author again.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC. This was a good love story . Yes there was loss and sadness but who doesnt want to see someone find love?

This is my first book from this author and I doubt it will be my last. I'm a sucker for brother's best friend and this one checked all my boxes. I was drawn in by the chemistry between these sweet, funny, smart characters.

There were a few parts that moved a little slow for me but, all in all it was enjoyable. I loved the side characters as much as the main and, the banter and emotion really gave a lot to the story.

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

Arden Lennox's life of what she thought was a fairy tale with the football star and a dream life has come to an end with his death. He has left her with nothing as she had to sell most everything because of his addiction to pain killers and other happenings that are explained.
She leaves her life in Phoenix and moves back to Chicago there her brother who is younger and is successful in real state has an apartment for her to live in. now feeling like her life has gone backward just instead of living with her parents in Florida she is now living with her younger brother.
Once there and moved in she also realizes that also living there is Tyler Ramirez, who once was her brothers’ geeky friend but is now a hunk of a firefighter. He also helps her brother with the fixing up with doing a lot of the work. He, of course, is elated that Arden has moved back for when he was younger, he had a huge crush on her. That now has become stronger, for now, he knows she is a strong beautiful woman. Especially after walking in on her one day by accident when she was exiting the shower. Though she finds herself attracted to him she is still upset with herself in not seeing the problems that were going on with her husband, feeling like she was a bad wife and maybe she could have helped him.
I found this and the little things like her getting a job slowly were helping her but she still doubted herself as a person who lost someone and that what she could have done to fix her spouse. The author does a good job of expressing that and her need to get past that before she could move on. Hopefully when she does Tyler will still want her. Read this good book and find out what happens.

I'm not usually a romance reader but this one caught me eye and sounded like it had a good story too. Which it did. The romance is there but it's not front and center as the characters learn how to live life after heartache and disappointment. Weave in families and their often helping hand and the book was an entertaining book that alos had a romance.

3.5 stars--FIRECRACKER by Kelly Jamieson is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line focusing on Chicago fire fighter Tyler Ramirez, and widow Arden Lennox Hughes.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Arden and Tyler) FIRECRACKER follows the building relationship between Chicago fire fighter Tyler Ramirez, and widow Arden Lennox Hughes. Arden Lennox’ husband died one year earlier, and in the aftermath, our heroine had to sell everything in order to survive. Returning to Chicago was never in her plans but as her life continued to spiral out of control Chicago was the perfect stop on her journey to heal, a journey that would bring her face to face with the man with whom she would fall in love. Enter her brother Jamie’s best friend and fire fighter Tyler Ramirez. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Tyler and Arden, and the fall-out as Arden struggles with demons from the past.

Arden Lennox has made a decision not to get involved with a man, ever again. Having barely survived her husband’s death and the ensuing aftermath, Arden refuses to accept anything beyond friendship even though her attraction and desire for Tyler continues to grow. Tyler Ramirez has been in love with his best friend’s sister for as long as he can remember, and her return to Chicago means Tyler has a chance at his own happily ever after but Arden continues to struggle with what happened and why, and in doing so, pushes Tyler out of her life.

The relationship between Tyler and Arden is a best friend’s sister to lovers romance that falters with Arden’s inability to let go of the past, blaming herself for her husband’s demise. Tyler is willing to accept a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship but his heart wants what it cannot have. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Arden’s brother: businessman and IT specialist Jamie Lennox, and his friend Mila; Arden’s boss and Shenanigan’s bar owner Liam, and his sister Sorcha; Arden’s bestie Emma; Danny aka Honey Deville; and Tyler’s cousin Norton. Hopefully the author has plans for Danny and Liam, as well as Jamie and Mila; Emma and Norton.

FIRECRACKER is a story of family, friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is engaging; the romance is flirty and fun; the characters are colorful and energetic but I struggled with Arden’s immature attitude, and selfish behavior as it pertained to her relationship with Tyler.

Copy supplied by Netgalley


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Fun read! Arden was dealing with some serious baggage, but Tyler was willing to help her unpack it. Arden wanted to do it all herself, to prove to herself that she could. But, there's nothing wrong with accepting a little help. Tyler was swoon-worthy! Looking forward to learning more about the secondary characters

3.5 ⭐️
FIRECRACKER starts a year after Arden’s husband has died and she is preparing to move back home. Her brother lets her move into his apartment building where she’s living across the hall from his childhood best friend, Tyler. Tyler who has grown out of his gawky stage and is now a hot as hell firefighter. I appreciated Arden and Tyler’s friendship and that they didn’t just jump into things BUT I do enjoy a bit more angst than FIRECRACKER had. That could’ve been accomplished if the status of her marriage and her feelings toward her husband were different. Overall (even though Arden could get on my nerves) I enjoyed the story. I see the potential for this to turn into a series because I definitely need more of Mila and Jamie! There’s something there between those two “friends”

Although not having read anything from Kelly Jamieson before, I already cracked up at the blurb, so I requested the arc. And it was indeed a funny, cute and cosy read. Arden returns home after being widowed. She doesn't have a place to stay, but fortunately her geeky brother has just bought an entire building to renovate. So, she can stay in one of the apartments, although it is not totally suitable for living.
The shower needs to be refurbished, which will be done by her brother's best friend Tyler. But Tyler is not the geeky guy that Arden remembered him to be. Nooooo, he is one hot firefighter now, who likes to fix up houses. Preferably without his shirt.
Tyler can't believe it, when his high school crush Arden now lives next door. And that he will be working in her apartment. Since it is the brothercode, not to date your best friend's little sister, Tyler has never acted upon his crush. But now Arden is all grown up and gorgeous. To hell with the brothercode...
Unfortunately, Arden doesn't want to be in a relationship. So, although the sparks are flying, it is Arden who tries to put out the flames. Does Tyler have enough firemen tricks up his sleeve, to keep the fire burning? Find out for yourself in Firecracker. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

3.5 stars!

Firecracker was a great read. I enjoyed the genuine connection between Tyler and Arden. Their banter was effortless.
There were a lot of elements I felt worked well in their story and others that I could’ve gone without.

I could see where Arden was coming from. Being recently widowed and having to be on her in some ways. Making decisions and wanting her independence. It was a struggle for her to let Tyler in.
It kinda drove me crazy, if I’m being honest, but I understood it.
Because OMG! Tyler was swoon upon swoon material! So caring and protective yet respectful.
I liked him a lot and I think they complemented each other well.

There was a great cast of side characters that I’d love to read more about in the future.
This author has quickly become a favorite after reading quite a few of her books now.
Firecracker is worth picking up. There’s steamy chemistry, funny moments and a great romance!

Firecracker is such a sweet, sexy feel good romance!
Arden is a woman that has returned home following the death of her husband and she is trying to figure out who she is and how she fits into her hometown . Tyler has known Arden since his awkward teens . He is the best friend of her younger brother but gone are the gangly teen days . Tyler has grown into a handsome, caring, handy sizzling hot fireman . He has always has carried a torch for Arden but he knew she was way out of his reach . She moved on, married and had the life some may have dreamed of or so he thought . So now these two familiar strangers find themselves neighbors and it may be time to get acquainted. Tyler lets Arden find herself but also is there when she may need him. I beautiful romance !
~~Michele McMullen ~~

Arden had to figure out when she was going to live. She stared at the email her mom and dad had offered to share their spare bedroom but it wasn’t going to happen. She had handled all the crap of the last year on her own including her husband Michael's suicide on her own she wasn’t going to regress into the pampered princess she’d she’d been when she last lived with her parents. She was going to have to take her little brothers charity offer instead. She would be moving from Phoenix to Chicago. She had left Chicago to go to college ten years ago, Wren was twenty eight and penniless, homeless, and widowed. It was hard to believe Michael was gone although in the end she no longer loved him. She spent the last ten months grieving that although in the end she no longer loved him. All their hopes and dreams gone in the blink of an eye. She wrote an email to her younger brother Jamie and accepted the offer of an apartment if the offer was still open. Jamie was a tech genius and became a multimillionaire with his business Star Trekker and had been buying properties in Chicago . Tyler was Jamie's best buddy and also lived in the four apartment building Wren had moved into. He was also finishing her apartment, went in the bathroom to do a measurement and didn’t realize Arden had arrived and walked in on her in the bathroom right after a shower. Tyler remembered Arden she had starred in everyone of his teenage fantasies and now she was a beautiful woman. Tyler had now grown up and was a hot fireman. Jamie had picked Arden up at the airport than Arden had met Mila Jamie’s good friend from college. She also had one of the four apartments and Jamie had one. Tyler had told Arden Jamie was worried about her and she had said she was worried about herself. Time passed and Arden could;t help but be attracted to Tyler. But she wasn’t giving in.
This was a sweet emotional read. I really liked the pace and plot. I was also rooting for Tyler and Arden. I loved how protective Tyler was of all those he cared about. I was also glad we were given his back story to show why he was the way he was. I loved the relationship between Tyler, Jamie, and Mila. I really loved how Arden was accepted as one of them. I loved how Mila instantly included Arden. Tyler and Arden had hot chemistry. I really liked how determined Arden was to stand on her own two feet but she really did need to see what was right in front of her eyes. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend it.

This book was charming and sexy. I was addicted to the budding romance between the two main characters, Arden and Tyler. Fans of this author will love her latest release, Firecracker and new to Kelly Jamieson readers will realize why so many of us one-click without even reading the blurb.

Arden’s life is changing. Everything she once knew and maybe didn’t appreciate as much as she should have is gone. It’s made for some tough realizations and hard truths for her to come to grips with. It made a compelling personal journey and I was invested in this character. I liked Arden, which isn’t something I alway feel when I reading a book.

Anyway, you want to know about the good stuff. The romance. Here’s where we meet Tyler. Her brother’s best friend, who was once awkward and easy to ignore, but who is now enticing and hot as hell. He’s stubborn and relentless in his pursuit of her. He captivates Arden and helps her heal. They bring out the best in one another.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows (or melt your panties sex, which is in here too), it’s a realistic love story that endears you to well written characters. I was sad when I reached the last page, but psyched to have meet Kelly’s latest characters and enjoyed their journey. I highly recommend Firecracker.

Such a great story! Loved the progression of healing for Arden. Loved Ty's patience with her. Great setting and interesting secondary characters. Nice diversion from this author's usual hockey romances. I would read it again in a heartbeat!

I really enjoyed this one. I felt like Arden is someone I would love to be friends with and Tyler was the perfect book boyfriend. I also loved all of the secondary characters and have my fingers crossed hoping we will get their stories! This book made me laugh and cry and everything in between. Unlike most slow-burn romances, I couldn’t put this one down. It had me hooked from the beginning and I was sad when it ended.

If you haven’t read Kelly Jamieson yet you are missing out!

I have read many of Kelly Jamieson's books and have enjoyed them immensely. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. Firecracker, is a best friend brother's romance set in the city of Chicago.

Arden Lennox believed she was happily married to a professional football player until she wasn't. Now she is back home in Chicago, living in one of the four apartments in her younger brother's brownstone, as she begins a new chapter in her 28-year-old life. Her neighbor across the hall is Tyler Ramirez, her brother's best friend from high school. Arden's brother and business associate occupy the two downstairs units. Arden is very grateful to her brother for helping her out, since she has very little savings and needs to find a job.

Tyler is a firefighter and helping people is his calling. He is a contractor in his off hours and has been refurbishing Arden's apartment for quite some time. Tyler cannot believe his luck! He lusted after Arden way back when and now he gets to see her every day. Tyler wants a full blown relationship with Arden, but she is quite adamant about being independent. Overtime, Tyler wins her over and they fall into lust and love.

I liked this story, however, the hot sex scenes overtook the engaging plot. All the characters are interesting and genuine. I am looking forward to reading more about Arden's brother and the possible love story he has with her best friend Emma.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

A fun, heartwarming story, a bit slow to begin but well worth the wait, I loved the main characters, all the supporting characters were well developed too, it has an absolutely addictive story, it’s a standalone but I’d love it to become a series.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

firecracker kicks off a new, non-hockey related series from kelly jamieson. the first book finds newly widowed arden lennox moving back to chicago after her life fell apart in arizona. she's starting from scratch and determined to go at it alone. but to her great dismay she still needs her family to support her and finds herself living in her brothers' apartment building.

she's living there rent-free and she needs to put up with her younger brother's best friend, tyler ramírez working on the remodel. arden has no idea that she was tyler's boyhood crush. and the grown-up version of arden still makes him go all heart-eyes over her.

tyler is very protective, in part due to a childhood incident that explains his personality, but this rubs up against arden's newfound independence. the sparks that fly between them are too big to ignore. i love jamieson's books, and this one is no exception.

**firecracker will publish on january 28, 2020. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/kelly jamieson in exchange for my honest review.