4.5 Stars
This is the third book in the Hotshots series. I have really enjoyed this series and this installment did not disappoint. The characters were complicated and very interesting. The storyline was really interesting bringing in arson with wild fires. It was another learning experience for me on what is involved in combating wildfires. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Feel the Fire is the third book in the Hotshots series by Annabeth Albert. You've already met Tucker in a previous book but there is sooooo much more to Tucker than the surface reveals. There is more to the story than the second chance that is so quickly revealed. It is a beautiful love story about time, second chances, compromise, self-acceptance and letting go. Both Tucker and Luis have pasts to be examined and a life that is seemingly to difficult to let go of and both must decide if the other is worth making the changes and taking the chances that being together would entail.

The motto for this second-chance romance is very much “Better late than never.”

When I originally read the opening chapter included as a teaser in the previous book in the series, I got the impression that the rift between high school boyfriends Tucker and Luis was deep enough that they would be at odds for at least part of the story. After all, Tucker put the brakes on their plan for him to follow Luis to California and build a future there together, and then Tucker got a girl pregnant and married her soon after they broke up. Even almost two decades later, Tucker is regretful and Luis is bitter about how everything ended between them.

However, Tucker and Luis get past all of that quickly. With age comes wisdom, and now they can both see the flaws in their plans and how they each contributed to the end of their relationship. That clears the path for them to reconnect, although they face the same problem—Luis’s life is in California and Tucker’s is in Oregon. But in their mid-thirties, they have more options than they did at teens, and they ultimately find a way to do what they couldn’t back then.

Overall, their romance is kind of low key. The relationship drama is kept to a minimum because Tucker and Luis are mature enough not to let their feelings overwhelm their good sense. Tucker’s demisexuality adds a little spice in the bedroom; he’s never connected enough with another man to sleep with anyone, so Luis gets to play tutor. Beyond that, though, it’s simply a feel-good story about two decent guys falling in love and figuring out how to be together.

As for the rest of the narrative, the fire investigation part of the plot stays mostly in the background. Tucker’s family plays a bigger role in the storyline, particularly his sons Wade and Walker, and I appreciated the strong father-son relationship between them and Tucker that’s described in the story.

I’d recommend this romance for readers looking for a realistic, low angst contemporary romance with mature leads.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Luis Riviera goes wherever he is needed as a behavior specialist. Going back home to Central Oregon was not what he expected. Going to Central Oregon means he will come face to face with his childhood love, Tucker Ryland.

Tucker, divorced and father of twins, didn’t expect to meet Luis Riviera, but when he does his heart beats faster and his breath catches in his throat. The attraction they had in their youth banked until it ignited again.

What I absolutely loved is Tucker Ryland is a demisexual character. Do you know how many books I’ve read in the past five years with representation of a demisexual character? One. This book. As a demisexual I connected so much to Tucker. He needed a connection with a person before they would become lovers. He had that with Luis and it was a connection that didn’t dissipate after all those years. It was honest, real, and intense.

The chemistry between Luis and Tucker, oh boy, as soon as they saw each other there were sparks. Luis listened to Tucker, made sure he was comfortable and enjoying himself. It felt as though Luis cherished Tucker, and that was everything. I’m a sucker for friends to lovers storylines, but through in a second chance romance? It just hits the spot for me.

Tucker’s boys were great! There were times that had me cackling at times with their matchmaking shenanigans. It was nice seeing how they took to their dad’s new relationship and accepted Luis as he was.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this installment. This book can also be read as a stand-alone, but you do see characters from the previous two books in this one.

A hot and steamy second chance at romance!

As boys, Tucker and Luis became thee best of friends and even explored taking their friendship further… that is until Louis’s family is moves to California. Even that distance doe not immediately curb their attraction and plans for their future. Yet fate and family intervene, keeping them apart and causing hurt feelings on both sides.

Half a lifetime later, Luis is sent back to his prior home to assistantships the Oregon forestry service and end up working side by side with Tucker! Their reunion is awkward, but for work they quickly attempt to be amenable… and soon their previous sparks return!

I loved how organically their reunion takes place and the swiftness that they rekindle their romance. Tucker and Luis were a delightful pairing and their mutual respect was obvious.

An extra bonus to this coupling were the rest of Tucker’s family, his twin teenage boys were a great addition and the co-parenting former souse Heidi, created a beautiful example of parting and moving on after the mutual end of a marriage.

As with he rest of the Hot Shots series, Annabeth Albert brings the heat! This was a fun and I highly recommend this book and series!

Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert is scheduled to release October 26th, 2020 .

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

#FeelTheFire #AnnabethAlbert #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

[I received a copy for an honest review]

Feel the Fire is the third stand a lone in Annabeth Albert's Hotshots series. A second chance contemporary romance between Wildfire Firefighters.

Tucker and Luis we each others first love when they were teens but when Luis' family moves from Oregon to California their young love doesn't survive the move. Now decades later Luis is and Tucker are thrown back together when he's called in to consult on a string of fries beloved to be arson in Oregon. After they forgive and mend the past between them, they risk getting close even though Luis stay is temporary. They will each have to decide what they are willing to compromise in order for them to have a future.

Feel the Fire is a low drama second chance romance. I have to say my favorite part of the story was the demisexual representation. It wasn't just slapped on Tucker as a label, it wasn't an afterthought. It fully affected his relationships with both his ex-wife and Luis. He acknowledges throughout that his connection and closeness to Luis heightens his sexual reaction to him. Coming for the other angle, Luis was a sweetheart and always asked permission when it came to doing things physical with Tucker and never pushed for more. He was more than satisfied just holding hands and kissing if that's all Tucker ever wanted to do. Both men were well-rounded characters and level-headed, they balanced their personal relationship perfectly with work and Tuckers responsibilities as a parent.

Feel the Fire was an overall pleasant read, while I did feel it dragged a time or two, it left me with a warm happy feeling. A mm romance filled with first times, meddling sons, family bonding, compromises and a grumpy cat.

4 stars

Luis’ work as a fire behavior specialist takes him all over, but he doesn’t expect that his newest job will be back in the town he grew up in—the one he hasn’t returned to since he was a teen.

Most of all, Luis doesn’t expect that he’ll be working directly with Tucker, his childhood best friend who was almost something more until circumstances changed suddenly, forcing them to go their separate ways.

“Second chance” is such a wonderful trope. These two men have so much history, and before they get together, they have to work through the lingering feelings left unresolved from all those years ago. So, the UST might be simmering, but they need to make sure they’re on the same page.

Luis and Tucker have great chemistry together. Tucker is bisexual, but he’s never been with a man before. Luis is gentle and patient with Tucker, although that’s not always easy because they’ve both wanted this for almost two decades and now that they finally have the opportunity, it’s difficult for both of them to hold back.

I loved the secondary characters. The protagonists from the first two books in the series make cameo appearances, but Tucker’s teenage twins, his ex-wife, and her husband and young daughter help support the main characters. It’s always refreshing to see healthy co-parenting relationships, and Luis fit right in with this blended family dynamic. The twins stole the show, offering support for their father’s new relationship and reminding him to use protection.

There is less of an emphasis on fire action scenes; as an investigator, Luis shows up before or after events to analyze any patterns and/or evidence that might suggest arson. He’s not really in the middle of things like the smoke jumpers of the previous books, but that doesn’t make the job any less interesting.

I would absolutely recommend Feel the Fire. This book is the third in a series, but it functions well as a standalone. You don’t have to read the first two books to understand what’s going on. This is the 5th or 6th of Albert’s books that I’ve read this year. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and I am looking forward to reading more of her books in the future.

I received a copy of this book from Carina Press/Netgalley.

Feel the Fire. Book 3 in the series. M/M second chance at love. Like the other 2 books before the main topic is around Firefighter. The two leads get reacquainted 20 years later. They learn to know each other again. It was done very smoothly by the Author. They worked together. Get to go on dates. The twins were a breath of fresh air. They were fantastic. The sex, as expected, was super hot and mashed well with the evolution of the story. This is a stand alone book worth checking.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley and all the opinions expressed here are all mine.

I love these 'Hot Shot' books, and am always grateful to Carina Press for advanced copies.

We have seen Tucker in previous books, so it's good to read about someone with whom we have an existing connection. Luis is brought in to solve an arson (that is only a minor part of the book, to be honest), and the re-connection with Tucker is instant.

We do flashback to their young lives, and can see the problems and why they happened. Groan. So much miscommunication, and shutting out, and shutting down, but perhaps, the separation makes them a stronger couple now.

Tucker's twins provide much of the (teenage) angst, while Luis and Tucker just get on with getting down and sexy! The complications are realistic, and I could imagine both of them prepared to make a move to keep the relationship alive. Who will it be?

Hope there are more. If you enjoyed the first two, you are sure to want to pick this one up as well. Thanks Netgalley. Feel the Fire is out October 26.

Twenty years ago Luis and Tucker shared a teenage romance. But Luis moved away, promises were broken and neither has seen the other since. Until Luis, now a fire behaviour specialist, is assigned an investigation in Central Oregon and comes face to face with his teenager love. But times have changed, Luis has loved and lost once more, Tucker is now a single father to two teenage boys--distracted by family responsibilities and a busy fire season, can these two men rediscover what they lost all those years ago?

This book made me question myself constantly. The one thing I loved best about this book? The communication! No sooner has Luis returned than the two of them sit down, like adults, and hash out the past. There is remorse and forgiveness all round and I really liked how both of them took equal responsibility for how everything went down.

On the other hand, I think because these two are so good at communicating some of the tension in their relationship was lost. There's not a lot of will-they, won't-they, and most of their issues come from outside sources that are also too easily solved. Also I will say for a firefighter book there isn't much excitement going on, this is more about family problems and how to deal with distance in a relationship.

For all that though I did enjoy Feel the Fire. I loved how the book includes a demi sexual love interest, this was a first for me and it was really interesting how it changed their relationship. The sex was also very steamy (there is shower sex! it is hot!).

Characters from previous series do appear but this book can easily be read alone.

Overall I did really like this one, it was nice for a change to read about a couple who communicated (even if perhaps they were a bit too open with each other). Their relationship was very heart-warming and I loved the family relationships Albert included.

Annabeth Albert delivers another solid instalment with this book in a series I've come to greatly enjoy.

Tucker, we met in the previous book and Luis we meet for the first time here but by the end of the book, I felt like I knew both men quite well. Reading the blurb, I'm sure you'd think you can predict how it would go, but you'd be wrong. It certainly didn't go the way I thought.

The writing and the storytelling were great as usual with good secondary characters as well but what threw me for a loop was where I was expecting drama and drawn-out angst and this book simply said "Nope. Not gonna happen boo".

You know how you read a novel and the protagonists are so immature you want to rip your hair out?This was the OPPOSITE of that. I had zero of such problems here. In fact, they handled their issues so maturely that by the end, I kept thinking "this should be happening in more books so that my blood pressure remains stable!". That alone clinched the rating for me. Lol!

I don't think I need to reiterate how much I enjoyed the book from all I've written above. If you are a fan of this series, author or simply a fan of MCs who communicate in ways that would make your heart happy, go grab this book. You won't regret it. I certainly did not.

I really like this series and this third volume comforts me in this impression. I loved this novel. I read it in a few days and had a lot of fun, which at the moment is rather rare and all the more welcome .

When I read the preview of this novel at the end of volume 2 I was intrigued by what the author was going to offer us. I'm not necessarily a big fan of second chances, but that's not quite it either. We are more on a missed chance than on a second chance.

I liked that Luis and Tucker felt a lot of resentment towards each other but that very quickly they managed to talk to each other and move on. I liked the intelligence and the indulgence they show throughout the novel, especially in relation to their young self.

I also really liked the fact that Tucker is semi sexual, the way he found out about it and all that that implies for his relationship with Luis.

I liked that it wasn't about  first love, that the two men had lived during the time they were apart. That they have loved and that they weren't waiting for each other. However, I liked that they came together quickly and that the attraction they already had for each other teenager was still strong.

I liked this notion that you can have several loves in a lifetime and this idea of ​​not letting your luck pass too often.

I really liked the relationship between Tucker and his sons Wade and Walker. I enjoyed seeing Walker's questioning and the differences between him and Wade despite being twins. I liked Tucker and Heidi's relationship and how Luis understands it.

I liked that there was no jealousy, no bad grudges, no word unsaid and that in the end, the relationship between Tucker and Luis was obvious, calm, adult.

In short, a novel that I really liked. A series that improves from volume to volume. An author who is definitely a sure bet.

3* Perhaps the sweetest, most 'with feeling' tale of the series.

This book can be read as a standalone, but the other leads (or at least some of them) have cameos, so it might be as well to have read them in order so you don't wonder who's who.

It is low emotion, low angst, low drama, despite the mention of arson in the plot, which, tbh, got lost in the plot with the little bit of drama happening with one of Tucker's sons. I did like that the teenage boys played a big role in his life and that the whole family and step family were honest and open with each other, spending time with each other and knowing about why Tucker and his ex-wife got together, and that he was demisexual. It seemed as if there were not a lot of secrets and it felt organic to have that in the tale, given how Tucker had lost Luis because he could not come out to his family their first time round.

It was a given, of course, that the leads would get together and that one or the other would have to make sacrifices for that, and just as I was starting to think that Tucker wanted to have his cake and eat it, the author turned things around and made the guys' relationship truly reciprocal instead of the a-little-bit-one-sided that it had felt like until then.

I can't say that I liked both leads, as neither really stood off the page for me. Normally when there's an animal in a book, it's a given that you see a more human side of the pet parent, but not here. I mean, Luis went on a mission that lasted 3 days, I think, and I can't even recall if he made arrangements for his cat to be looked after. They clearly didn't share much of a bond until towards the end of the book when the cat inexplicably decided to become a lap cat, which was a little weird.

It's not the book to start the series with - book 2 is the best of the bunch so far, and I'm not sure there will be another, as I don't recall anyone else being bigged up enough to make me think I'd met a future lead. But, it's worth a read, if only for the research the author has done into this type of firefighting, especially with the burns the likes of which have been seen in Cali this year.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Carina Press, for my reading pleasure.

First of all, heck yes for some demi rep! I didn't know that one of the MC's would be demi and that was a pleasant surprise to see!

This is the third book in Annabeth's Hotshots series, although this one stands on its own very well if you want to jump in to this one and read it now. I loved Luis and Tucker and their second chance romance. This is probably my favorite of the series so far!

Luis is having to return to his home town to assist on an arson case. It means running into the boy he was in love with when they were both young teenagers, but Tucker is now grown and has kids of his own. The two must work together and also maybe attempt to mend their friendship and hearts at the same time, and I just loved it.

I was such a fan of these two. I loved that we got glimpses of them when they were teens, and I loved seeing both as strong, independent men. Luis had a long-term boyfriend who he lost on the job, and Tucker got married and had twin boys before getting divorced. They both lived their lives with no regrets, but when they reunite it's like finally THEIR time, and I loved it. I enjoyed that they were both older men and the communication was pretty good. I love that Luis was so respectful of Tucker's demi identity and made sure to like, check in? with him while they were together early on.

The main conflict came from the worry over being long-distance. But I love that Luis and Tucker loved each other enough to commit and make things work, and both were willing to sacrifice for the other to stay together.

I also appreciated that we had Heidi - Tucker's ex-wife, who was a positive female supporting character, and I loved their kids - Wade and Walker. The kids being little matchmakers were a bit adorable, too.

All in all, this was a lovely romance about two men finally getting the timing right and finding their new HEA. I loved Luis and Tucker and can't wait for more of this series!

Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert
Hotshots #3

Young love, distance and life got in the way when Luis’s family moved back to Los Angeles leaving Tucker behind in Bend. The two have two decades of life between them and both are now men that have grown and changed but seem to still feel the chemistry they felt in high school. Whether this time will see them finding their HEA or not is up in the air for awhile BUT as Carina Press promises…every story they publish has a HEA or HFN ending.

What I liked:
* The family element and how both men loved their families
* Luis: knowledgeable, excellent in his profession, has experienced love in the past, knows what he likes, is open and communicates well. He is perfect for Tucker
* Tucker: a great father, does well at co-parenting with his ex-wife, great at his job, rooted in his community, makes long strides in getting to know what is truly values for his future. He is perfect for Luis.
* Walker and Wade: Tucker’s twin sons heading off to college in a year. Their lives are ahead of them and they have big decisions to make.
* Getting to see the two couples from the first books in the series
* Hearing about the arson investigation – and that they arsonist was caught though not much was said about the arsonist.
* Blaze: a cranky cat that had a lot of personality
* That the story was complete in and of itself.

What I did not like:
* I can’t think of anything except that hearing about the fires made me think of the horrendous fires in the USA this year.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

2.5⭐

Bon ... Eh bien ce fut une lecture franchement tiède, ce qui est un sacré comble pour un couple de pompiers, non ?

Annabeth Albert explore ici le thème des retrouvailles et de la seconde chance, avec ces deux hommes qui se retrouvent un peu moins de 20 ans après s'être quittés, alors qu'ils étaient de jeunes ados amoureux. Luis se retrouve à devoir travailler avec Tucker, en sa qualité d'enquêteur expert en matière d'incendies. Hélas, le roman manque cruellement de scènes d'action, alors qu'Annabeth Albert sait parfaitement écrire ce genre de scènes, quel dommage ... Certes, les deux personnages travaillent dans les "coulisses" et non directement au coeur du brasier, mais je trouve que le cadre professionnel est insuffisamment exploité (view spoiler).

La romance est douce, ça va quand même assez vite entre eux côté sentiments, mais comme je le disais plus haut, je trouve ça assez tiède. En fait je ne me suis pas vraiment attachée aux personnages et même s'ils sont mignons tous les deux, ils ne m'ont pas franchement touchée.

En fait, les personnages qui volent la vedette, ce sont Wade & Walker, les fils de Tucker, qui sont à la fois drôles et attachants ; finalement, dans ce roman, ce sont les passages avec eux que j'ai préféré.

Un bilan fort mitigé donc ... :/

I've enjoyed this team of forest fire fighters and all the stories in this series have been well written and enjoyable but I think this one is my favorite. I really enjoyed the way that Tucker's demisexuality rep was handled and how it didn't seem to be the sticking point for the story which is often a common story line. I think this was the first time where I didn't feel like kids were added to the story as a foil to prevent the love interests from being together. They forced everyone to look at their own behaviors and helped drive the story beyond being set pieces. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the resolution. Definitely worth a read.

Luis and Tucker are both brave, chiseled, incredibly selfless men who valiantly face down the flames of hell in burning buildings, forests, etc without a moment's hesitation, risking everything to save animals, people, their homes, and the wilderness, never stopping to consider their own safety.

The only thing that seems to faze these two at all, give them pause and caution, it seems, is each other.

Haunted by their shared past and hesitant to forgive each other and move forward now, their connection is very strong from the moment they begin interacting in present day on the page; but there is little magic. No spark.

What starts off with so much promise, for me, never truly takes off and the characters are, unfortunately, incredibly difficult to root for.

Annabeth Albert's writing is beautiful and solid, and the story does ask squarely to be told- I just wish the heroes were a teeny bit more likable.

This was a wonderfully sweet story, a second chance at love 20 years on.

Book #3 in the Hotshots series this is another really enjoyable read in this series. I liked both of the main characters a lot, both Luis and Tucker were great guys who after their fledgling relationship ends when they are still teenagers, have each told themselves a story about why the other did what they did back then. Now, 20 years on, they are inadvertently brought together to work on a possible arson case. 

I loved the relationship between Luis and Tucker. Though when they first bump into each other after 20 years apart there is a lot of hurt between them, there are many memories and feelings that pull them together and make them realise what they felt back then is still alive, but now they are both older and somewhat wiser and are able to see things differently.

I liked the fact they were in their late 30s and had pasts and baggage that they had to work through and work with. Tucker especially, has an ex-wife, who I didn't much like, and twin teenage boys who are getting ready to finish school and go to college. The boys are Tucker's most important things in his life, but when Luis returns, he has to work out if he needs to start taking his own needs and dreams into account, or will he miss out on something that could be wonderful. The boys were great and added an extra dynamic to the story and the relationship that starts to bloom. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Carina Press for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

Second chances, wildfires, and a seriously grumpy cat.

Luis Riviera is assigned to an arson investigation in the last place he ever wants to be - his old high school stomping grounds in Central Oregon, where he experienced his first broken heart.

Tucker Ryland has been devoted to his family and his job as a fire management expert, and had all but forgotten the disastrous end to his own teenage years.

Neither man ever expected to come face to face again. Both men are thrown for a loop when they bump into each other on the first day of Luis’ assignment.

I gotta say - I found Luis’ initial behaviour to be a bit much. Granted, he had been hurt by Tucker’s actions, but that was two decades ago. His actions just seemed a bit too petty and childish.

But I really liked everything that came after that reunion. The second chances trope can be so overdone and “quick” sometimes, but Annabeth Albert handled it like a pro.

While there are definitely lingering feelings, the emotional rekindling is gradual. Tucker and Luis don’t just automatically fall back in love.

Tentative kisses turn into fiery nights, and pretty soon Luis and Tucker are having a series of unofficial dates.

The two rediscover what drew them together as boys, and there’s an entirely new discovery of the men they’ve become.

I was all for it! It was easy to root for them.

The family dynamic is also entertaining. Tucker’s teenage boys were great. Wade was a hoot, and Walker’s angst was entirely believable. Bonus points for how great Tucker’s relationship with his ex-wife is!

On the downside - I just couldn’t get into the firefighting. It just seemed to drag and I’ll admit I skimmed some of those parts.

Regardless, the happy ending was great and I really liked that it went in a bit of an unpredictable direction!

If you’re looking for an entertaining second chances MM romance with strong themes of family and growth, give ‘Feel the Fire’ a try!