Smoke jumper Garrick isn't handling his "new normal" very well -- struggling to adjust to life with legs that won't cooperate and a spine that refuses to fully heal after a serious work accident, Garrick just wants to get back to the work he loves and the friends/coworkers he misses having around. He has difficulty asking for help, but a lovable lost dog and a cute next-door neighbor are about to prove to him that those who care about you the most are always there for you, if you just ask. Rain, said cute next-door neighbor, doesn't take life seriously. That is, until he meets Garrick, the brooding and muscular smoke jumper, and a lost dog that will steal both of their hearts. Rain wasn't looking for anything permanent and Garrick definitely wasn't looking for commitment to either man or dog, and both will find themselves facing tough decisions and uncertain futures that only the comfort and companionship of each other will help solve.

Thoughts: This is my first experience with Annabeth Albert's work, so I can't say the accuracy of how this book relates to the first in the series. I enjoyed the story, but had a bit of difficulty getting into it - probably because I didn't read the first book so I didn't have a point of reference for why Garrick was injured. I don't think readers need the first book to enjoy this one, but it would probably help with some background information as past characters make appearances throughout. I thought Rain was perfect for Garrick, and Garrick's inability to ask for help or let his friends and coworkers know how much pain he was in or how he was struggling was realistic and relatable. I wish there were a bit more plot involving other characters, but overall it was a sweet and heartwarming read with an adorable dog, and would be an enjoyable beach read.

This is the second book in the Hotshots series, which follows a group of smoke jumpers. It’s a really interesting career and I appreciate the research that Albert obviously does to make this “world” come alive. The first book in the series (these are all companion novels with overlapping characters) is Burn Zone, which I liked for the most part. I think I enjoyed High Heat a bit more, though there is definitely a lot less of the actual smoke jumping.

I’m a big fan of Annabeth Albert and I usually love all of her books. For some reason, this hasn’t been my most favorite series. I’m still definitely here to read the next book though. I find the world fascinating and I enjoy the characters. I think there’s some sort of disconnect there for me, but it could very well just be a personal thing or a “timing” thing, so don’t let my thoughts deter you from checking this out if you are curious! In general, I highly recommend Annabeth Albert.

**4.5**
I really enjoyed the second book of the Hotshots series. A lost dog brings Rain into Garrick's life, his neighbour's grandson visiting for the summer, and so begins a friendship that they are both in need of. Garrick is still doing intensive PT to attempt to fully recover from a spinal injury and Rain is someone constantly on move, looking for adventure. They work really well together, Rain more than happy to help out with anything that Garrick needs and he's so light and full if energy that Garrick can't help but be drawn into that. It feels like their relationship develops quite naturally, both open about their attraction what they enjoy. I think, importantly, they have fun and give Garrick something else to think about other than his recovery and aims for returning to smoke jumping.
With Garrick's injuries, to me, Annabeth wrote his physicality and emotions very well. With something so suddenly life changing, it's got to be hard accepting and adapting to everything that has happened regardless of the support from friends and family of which he has quite a lot but Rain is the one to really makes an impact. To start with, Rain's plans are to get summer work with the forestry service or similar and then move on but Garrick and Cookie (the lost dog) soon become a very important part of his life. It's interesting reading his upbringing as well and how that has impacted his outlook on life.
Definitely another must read for me and a great addition to the series. I enjoyed the characters and how their relationship played out. A lot of hurt/comfort and joking about their age difference. There's not a lot of character stories with disabilities and this one, I thought, is very well written and Garrick goes through recovery and acceptance. Look forward to the next in the series.

This was simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. I am really enjoying the hotshot series and High Heat was no exception. Garrick and Rain had scorching chemistry and so much angst. This is honestly the most angsty series that Albert has written and I want more!

Annabeth Albert's High Heat is a great age gap romance. The second book in the Hotshots series, this story picks up after Garrick's injury in Burn Zone.

The emotions are high in this story where a stray dog brings two strangers together.

Garrick immediately grabbed my heart, with his injury causing him tremendous emotional turmoil. He has been fighting to get back to his smoke jumping career, but a lot stands in his way. The author fully brings to light the mobility issues and accessibility issues involved with one being mostly wheelchair bound. Garrick's rage and pain at not being fully mobile is gut wrenching at times.

And then there's Rain, who's free spirit, hippy personality is the perfect compliment to Garrick right now. Rain's gender fluidity is well written and explored. He's a breathe of fresh air. He likes pink, still loves to be like a princess, but he's drawn to a rugged man. It's a fun character trait and is well carried out. And it ends up that he's incredibly supportive, the perfect one to help heal Garrick's fear of being too needy.

This is story with frustration and pain. It's a story of optimism versus reality and all the baggage that comes with it. The author perfectly nails this issue and I couldn't have been more impressed. Acceptance of one's loss is a large part of this story. It's written with care and compassion and I loved it all.

And then there's Garrick and Rain together. OMG! To say they are hot together is an understatement. There's plenty of flirting and attraction. The author explores dealing with the differences of sex with physical limitations, and then there's some lace. Oh how I love Rain's love of all things soft and sexy. It's delicious fun.

High Heat is a story with plenty of emotions, lots of heat (or high heat as the title would tell you), and a whole lot of character growth. This Annabeth Albert book is wonderful and I definitely recommend it the next time you're in the mood for an opposites attract romance.

First book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
An engrossing and entertaining plot, fleshed and interesting characters.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A great addition to the series. I enjoyed High Heat more that the first book on the series because of Garrick. While Linc’s Internal monologue got old fast, I loved that Garrick was so open with his emotions and his struggles. Obviously a big part of his arc was accepting his limitations due to his injury and I’m so glad that the author didn’t write him as a closed, unemotional man.

Rain was a delight. I loved everything about him. His relationship with Garrick was really sweet. And also Cookie! Dogs make everything better, even books!

I also loved that Garrick didn’t miraculously got better, it was all really realistic. The only thing that bugged me was that it took a *serious-life and death-catastrophe* for them to get their shit together and talk about their feelings openly. My only issue.

Solid solid read. Can’t wait for book 3.

Where there is smoke, there is fire! And these guys are definitely smoking!!!

Player, Garrick Nelson is still recovering from a fall that occurred a year ago while he was working as a smoke jumper. On goods he can use crutches to get around, but otherwise he is still limited to his wheelchair… Now an injured and scared dog and needs help. Garrick is surprised who answers the door at his elderly neighbours house, the incredible cute, Rain Fisher…

Rain can’t seem to commit or settle down, Nothing feels right and he keeps floating from one school program to the next, job to job and fling to fling… until Garrick shows up at his grandmas door with a puppy and needs his help.

I loved how much these two wanted to help/ take care of each other. Garrick and Rain made the most adorable couple and were definitely #couplegoals . The easy acceptance and consideration Rain gives Garrick on his abilities due to his injury was also really well done. I absolutely loved how they supported each other, be it about their abilities, goals or choice of dress.

I mentioned at the beginning that the title does not lie about the heat factor - the intimate scenes were very hot. I’d rate this a 5/5 for the steamy scenes. Also, worth considering is the explicit content and consideration included in the love scenes. The steamy scenes added to the characters self worth and were beautifully done intuit regard.

High Heat by Annabeth Albert was released July 28th, 2020 and is available now!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin and the Harlequin Publicity Team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#HighHeat #AnnabethAlbert #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

An age gap m/m romance that will scorch your kindle/e-reader once you start reading it! This is the second book in the Hotshot Series – though I didn’t find any issue connecting to t he story and the characters; though some secondary characters were mentioned throughout the book!

Grarrick suffered through one of the worst injuries as part of his firefighting duties – he is however determined to get back on his feet, figuratively and literally, even though its an uphill climb. He identifies as pansexual; and though with his sexual activities restricted (mostly cause of his injuries), he wasn’t expecting to be confronted by the grandson of his neighbour, a young femme man, Rain who is the only one he has found himself to be sexually attracted to in a long time, even though he was a player before his accident.

Rain, on the other is a confident young man, very comfortable with his sexual identity and is definitely attracted to the older man living next door to his grandmother – Garrick. A man he meets when he rescues a pup and needs his grandmother’s help!

Garrick and Rain are instantly attracted to each other and are absolutely okay keeping their “relationship” low – key and at whatever physical level they both are comfortable with. The age gap between them is more of a social constrict than a restriction they put on themselves.

Can I just say that I am all here for the absolute confidence and reverence the author has treated the representation of pansexuality as well as the easy acceptance that Garrick (and many other characters) the femme side of Rain – the fact that it was easily considered to be a part of who Rain is as a human being; than efforts being made to dampen his very colourful personality!

It is a personal issue that I had, was with the overemphasis on the sexual aspect of their relationship beyond what was actually required for their relationship – yes, I get it that theirs was a purely physical relationship; more for fun rather than long term need. Yet still I still believed that their’s sexual relationship took more page time than was required.

Absolutely scorching, slow burn romance that neither Garrick nor Rain realise that they are building towards – a shared home, including a cute and adorable pup both of them fall in love with, without even realising it! Would definitely recommend this one to the readers of this genre!

This is the second book in the Hotshots series by Annabeth Albert and is every bit as good as the first book. I loved this story and related so strongly to Rain in so many ways. I honestly can't wait for the third book in the series.


Like the first book, Burn Zone, this book is full of heat, with lots of steamy sex scenes and a couple of gorgeous heroes. But I think this book is a lot more playful than the first. Where Linc and Jacob were more serious, Garrick and Rain are more adventurous and fun.


Garrick is strong, determined, kind, funny, and afraid of being left. He is dealing with so many personal issues revolving around his injuries and his future, but he is so open and optimistic... even in the face of disappointments. But he's not perfect, and because he's afraid of getting hurt, he keeps a part of himself back from Rain, seeing their relationship as only temporary.


Rain is vibrant, caring, giving, adventurous, and seen as flighty by his family because he doesn't know what he wants out of life. He refuses to be embarrassed by who he is, whether he's wearing a Pony Power t-shirt or lacy panties under his clothes. But he wants to be wanted and needed, and feels like he is only of value to Garrick by what he can give.


Together, they are magic, both bringing out the best in the other, even through the setbacks. As Rain seeks to find what he's looking for and Garrick learns to live with limitations and the possibility of giving up on dreams, they teach each other that there is more to life than they originally believed.


We got to see more of characters from the first book, namely Linc and Jacob, and spent time in the field with the fire crews in central Oregon again. We also met one of the leads for the third book, Tucker Ryland. If you haven't checked out this series yet, I certainly recommend it!


Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley on behalf of Harlequin Tours for Carina Press for a promotional Blog Tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The second book in Annabeth Albert's Hotshots series is a little removed from the action due to Garrick's injury, but it lacks none of the heat. From the moment Garrick and Rain met, bonding over a lost dog, the sparks flew. The way Garrick's injuries played a role in the story, and the way Rain reacted to them, was both realistic and very tastefully done. Rather than becoming a melancholy ode to every Garrick had lost, he was allowed to grieve while still retaining his own agency. Rain wasn't a savior, but a supporter. The way Rain came into his own and found his place in the world was also very sweet. It was nice to see that Garrick was able to learn from his missteps and they were able to figure it out together.

Annabeth Albert’s stories are always a treat to read, and her latest is no exception. This novel explores the developing relationship between a firefighter who was injured in a wildfire in central Oregon and the young man who helps him regain the will to live and love.

Oh Garrick. We met him in book 1 as the best friend of Linc. The super cocky smoke jumper who was gravely injured (seriously gasp inducing as I read it) at the end of book 1. Book 2 gives us a bit of a time jump as Garrick is home now, but still in recovery mode.

His neighbor across the street is an older lady he gets along with well. And then, because of a stray dog that ended up on his porch, he meets his neighbor's grandson. Much younger grandson.

I loved Rain. This poor kid is so lost but tries to act like he has it together. Growing up in basically a hippie commune, he is definitely a free spirit. But he is feeling the pressure of not really knowing what he wants to do with his life. He is a natural caretaker though, so when Garrick needs help with the stray dog, Rain is all in.

And so begins the older/younger we shouldn't/but we want to game. Garrick was the typical grumbly older guy feeling like he was taking advantage of Rain. But Rain was sex positive, has no hangups about age and has no problem teasing Garrick until he caves.

All the while Garrick is determined to beat the odds and get back to smoke jumping. Even though he is still on crutches at best and in a wheelchair at worst. Being such an active guy his whole life, his ego and self worth are taking a serious beating. But Rain is so good and anticipating Garrick's needs without taking over or making Garrick feel useless.

Oh- and a cute dog! If anything can make you feel better- I am convinced it is a dog. And Cookie definitely is her own character in the story.

Garrick and Rain each have their own personal ups and downs. They have the relationship crisis that then brings them back together again with eyes and hearts wide open.

This was sweet, fun, sexy as hell, exciting and a bit romantic. Really good follow up to book 1. Can't wait for book 3!

I loved the world of smoke jumpers that I discovered in Burn Zone, so could not wait for the next installment. Annabeth Albert did not disappoint in this story about Garrick Nelson, a smoke jumper injured during a mission gone wrong.

Although we met Garrick in Burn Zone, we didn’t get to know him, and didn’t realize just how much of a good, sweet guy he would turn out to be. Continuing with physical therapy a year after an accident left him with a spinal injury, Garrick was portrayed as extremely real. He experienced disappointment without being perpetually bitter. He went on with his life the best he could, adjusting to a new reality while continuing to work towards the same goals of the past. He tried to have a positive outlook the majority of the time, but did hit patches of discouragement and disappointment. He was not one extreme or the other, but a realistic portrayal of someone trying to make the best of the hand he was dealt. But when his neighbor’s adult grandson, Rain, comes to visit and they bond over the shared rescue of a scared pup, Garrick finds himself reevaluating those things he truly wants.

Rain was an adorable contradiction, from the top of his curly bunned head, past his muscled brony-clad chest, right down to his silk and lace undergarments. He was the young, free spirit who was actually wise beyond his years. Everyone thought that they knew Rain’s desires and goals better than he did himself, but it wasn’t until he met Garrick that he truly realized maybe he was just coasting through life because it was meant to bring him to this place and time.

Exploring pansexuality, along with the challenges someone with a spinal disability faces while having an intimate relationship, Annabeth Albert did her research and provided an honest portrayal of the nature of Garrick and Rain’s relationship that was informative without ever being clinical. The level of honesty and openness between Garrick and Rain during these discussions added to their intimacy, and I loved everything about their blossoming friendship and ultimately love for one another.

High Heat can certainly be read as a stand alone novel, but I enjoyed getting to see Linc and Jacob again so there was the added benefit of revisiting old friends and seeing how their story continued to play out. I became immersed in this story and at times was surprised to find myself sitting on my couch and not in woods of the pacific northwest. It was a learning experience for me, as well as a sweet romance and scorching treat. I can’t wait for the next book in this series and to hopefully see how Rain and Garrick are doing in the future.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
High Heat is the second book in the Hotshots series. I feel that it could be read as a standalone without much issue.

Smoke jumping changed Garrick Nelson's life. His energy is all put toward jumping again. He's made remarkable strides but it's still hard for him to ask for help or depend on anyone else. When a strange dog shows up on his porch, he knows he has to find the owner knowing he won't be able to care for the pupper on his own. When he stops at the neighbor's house, hoping she can help, what he isn't expecting is the hot, dog-loving grandson that answers the door.

With the help of Rain, Garrick learns more about himself and taking care of a sweet pupper than he ever thought possible.

I loved everything about this read. Garrick was angry about giving up being a smoke jumper but something about Rain made him realize that there was something more important. The chemistry and Rain's free side made this such a delicious read! I can't wait to see what comes next for this series!!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars of sweet heat

This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend that you read them in order, as the characters do flow through – and you get to see how Garrick was injured. That said, this would stand alone too.

Garrick being injured was an important moment in Burn Zone, and as he hadn't been painted in the warmest light, it is interesting to see him as he recovers, and how he deals with losing his playboy reputation and his much loved career. We join him already back at home, more than six months after the accident, and whilst he mainly uses a wheelchair, he can use crutches for a short distance. He is going to high intensity physio, and still believes he will return to smoke jumping. Sadly, I think it was clear that was incredibly unlikely from the outset, and I kind of felt pity for him, rather than hope.

His life definitely improves when he finds an injured dog, and that he has a new neighbour for the summer, as Shirley has her grandson, Rain, staying. They immediately fall into a very comfortable friendship/relationship looking after the dog and spending time together. I felt that the issues caused by Garrick's injury were dealt with both sympathetically and with good humour, and Rain's choice of underwear certainly raised the stakes.

There are enough fires, uniforms, as well as lacy undergarments and Cookie the dog to give a reader a very pleasurable read. I look forward to seeing who comes next, and seeing how this romance develops.


Sarah – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is the story of Garrick, an adrenaline junkie smoke jumper coming to terms with life changing injuries. And it’s the story of his neighbour’s hippie grandson, who might just change Garrick’s life even further.

At the start of this book, Garrick is frustrated and pretty miserable. His recovery is taking longer than he expected and he hates his reliance on others. He can’t picture a future without smoke jumping. This story is as much about Garrick’s personal journey as it is a romance. Rain explodes into Garrick’s life with an explosion colour – and a rather large dog. If Garrick’s life needs Rain’s infusion of joy, Rain needs someone to belong to and a reason to stay.

This is a slow, tender romance. It’s slow enough that I kept getting distracted and putting it down – something that doesn’t usually happen with this author’s books. The first book in this series focused more on smoke jumping action while this book only provides a few firefighting scenes. With Garrick recovering from a spinal injury, the sex isn’t completely conventional but there are some steamy scenes and a little bit of kink.

There are lots of things I really enjoyed about this book but sections of it did drag and I had to push myself to finish it. It might just have been me in the wrong frame of mind, but I usually devour Annabeth Albert’s books and I didn’t quite connect with this one.


Erica – ☆☆☆
High Heat is the second installment in the Hotshots series, and can easily be read as a standalone. However, if the reader wishes to know how Garrick's accident occurred, it happened on the pages of Burn Zone. There is also a cameo featuring Linc and Jacob.

High Heat had it all, everything to trap me into a book. Lost puppers with hurt paws. A yummy age-gap between a pansexual injured firefighter and a shimmering young neighbor, who just so happens to be intrigued by going into firefighting himself.

Garrick has a positive outlook on his injuries, because he won't accept anything less. Living alone in his own home, after recuperating with his father, he's struggling to do things by himself but has the determination to get things done. Garrick's biggest issue is that he's a workaholic with nothing to do, while also too proud to bother his friends and coworkers for help.

Rain is staying with his grandmother, a person who was told needed his help but won't accept it. He's living life on his own terms, on the cusp of making major decisions on what to do next. A natural caregiver, sweet sunshiny personality, he needs someone to help.

Then there is Cookie, the sweetest pup on the planet, who brings Garrick and Rain together.

Through helping one another, both around the house and as a trainer, Garrick lets his walls down enough to let Rain in, age-gap part of the hesitation. They find that their new jobs complement one another, ending with a scary scenario that was both emotional and heart-pounding for the reader.

High Heat had it all, everything that should have made it one helluva page-turner, with light and fluffy emotions and obvious lust, but I just couldn't connect. I wanted to love it, but I felt from the beginning that I was already at the ending. Too fast, too soon. I don't know. Not forced, necessarily. But too easy, too lighthearted, too fluffy. I didn't feel as if they had to do anything to be together but be together, and I need a little bit more angst, as if the characters have to earn it.

My favorite parts of the novel featured Cookie and Garrick's dad, those are the scenes when I actually felt something.

Recommended to fans of the author, especially those who enjoy light and fluffy.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/M Romance

Garrick is at home after suffering a pretty severe injury during his job. He isn't used to having so much time for himself and he finds that he's impatient with his physical therapy. And while he likes spending the time with this dad, he also can't wait to get back out on the line. When an injured dog finds its way to Garrick, he knows that he might be in over his head. Cookie is the dog that wins his heart, despite him not wanting the connection.

Rain is staying with his grandma next door to the hunky firefighter. When he sees that Garrick is in need of help due to his injury, Rain volunteers. Rain is fun, sweet, and slightly shy. He sees Garrick before his injury and likes what he sees.

These two have a slow burn relationship. There is an age gap and while they do want a relationship, Garrick also doesn't want to hold Rain back. Rain wants to help his grandma, Garrick, and everyone else, but is also needing to make some pretty big life decisions for himself too.

It was a sweet story, but I just was very disconnected from the characters. I think it was more surface romance than a true, deep romance from my point and I wished it had more depth.

Love the new book for the Hotshot series. Annabeth Albert books will have your undivided attention from start to finish and this one didn't disappoint. High Heat is the best in this series so far. Garret is trying to get his life after his Smoke jumping accident. Garret is grumpy, a recluse from his friends, and is in intensive physical therapy for spinal injuries. Rain is visiting his grandmother and two bonded over a dog. The story is romantic, sexy, some intense moments, very sexy moments, and very hot firefighters, and I love Cookie. There's great chemistry between to two and I love seeing the previous characters. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

thoughts

Rating: 4

Series: Hot Shots #2

Would I recommend it ? Yes in fact I all ready did to some of my friends who love this type of romance.

Would I read more of this series? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

First off I want to say thanks to Carina Press Blog Tour Program, as well as the author and NetGalley for letting me read and review it, because I was so happy when I got the invite to do so and I knew as soon as I saw it that I was going to say yes because after reading book 1 which I loved , I knew that I could wait to read the next one because I had to know what happened next to Garrick and if he got his forever happiness. And just like the first one I fell in love with the characters Garrick and Rain . There was just something about the two of them that screamed they was made for each other , one of the things I loved and it was a big part of the love for this story was how Garrick never tried to change or make Rain become someone he wasn't , he liked him for who he was . And other thing I loved was how the story was about them coming together and not just about the hot steam sex they had . Plus I loved how the author handle Garrick's disability and how she brought to life that no matter what your life throws at you your always have family and friends right there to help you and that its alright to ask and admit that you need help. With that said I can't for wait to read the next book in this series.

This is the second book in the Hotshots series, and although it does stand well on its own, I think you'd enjoy it more if you read the first book. Garrick is introduced there and we learn of his horrible accident that sets up his journey to recovery in this book.

Garrick is slowly recovering from his leg and spine damage, when a stray dog, Cookie, and a much younger man, Rain, come into his life. I don't remember an exact age, but I would say that Garrick is in his late thirties, whereas Rain is 23.

I absolutely loved the impact that Rain had on his life. He made Garrick happy, they meshed so well together despite Rain's cheerful disposition and Garrick's grumpy side. If you're a fan of hurt/comfort, you'll definitely like this, as the two of them have to work together to figure out how to make things work with Garrick being on crutches or in a wheelchair.

As with some other books I have read from Annabeth, I love how she tackles communication on physical activity between the characters. Garrick and Rain have to work around some effects from Garrick's disability, but still find plenty of ways to enjoy each other. And I love that Garrick was so openly interested in Rain's love of satin and lace.

Another solid book in this series. I do wish they could have talked a bit sooner, because while communication on taking care of each other was great, they both had a lot of worries over their future together, despite both wanting it.

Can't wait for the next book in the series!

A smouldering romance of trust and finding peace, High Heat is the perfect escapism read.

As the second book in the Hot Shots series by Annabeth Albert, readers will find it easy to pick up this book and embrace the setting and its characters, especially after becoming invested in Garrick's character after being introduced to him in Burn Zone.

While the intensity and chemistry are immediate, there's a slow-burn element to this narrative that is well-paced and definitely story appropriate. The development from new friends so more is sweet and allows the reader to embrace and support the relationship between injured smoke jumper Garrick and the loveable Rain, who's somewhat of a drifter.

The May-to-December theme is navigated well, with a nice level of realism without it being dramatised. It makes readers' engagement with the story easy.

There's some angst towards the end that feels a little convoluted at times, but it doesn't distract from the journey the characters undergo.

Overall, a really lovely read about disability and acceptance and finding your place in the world.

This book is a big step up for people with disabilities. The focus wasn't solely on Garrick and his scars, but on him adapting while grieving the loss of his previous self reliance and freedom.

Oh, and there's a steamy romance too