Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for the honest review

This one unfortunately did not click for me

-second chance romance
-single demi-sexual father
-single firefighting man with a cute cat
-insta romance

I love a great second chance romance, this one relied on their romance from the past. But it gave very little backstory making it difficult to get invested in the story. They also did not talk about what separated them or resolved their issues sufficiently to earn their HEA.

I really enjoyed the discussions on demi-sexuality and attraction. Luis handled it really well.

Unfortunately not my favorite book in the series or from this author but I will continue to read her, she's an amazing writer.

Rating: 2 stars
Steam: 4

No one believes that falling in love when you are a teenager is love that can last, so when Luis and Tucker's relationship ended due to Luis' family moving away the love that they shared was destined to end. Flash forward to present day and feelings and emotions are the first things that are felt when the two reunite. But Luis is only there for a short time to do a job and then return to California. Is there enough time to rekindle the old flame? Or will the two only embark on a professional reunion? I loved the rekindling of the spark between Luis and Tucker but it is the family dynamic that Tucker finds himself in with his ex-wife and twin boys that steals the show. I would love for all blended families to take notes from them. Beautifully written.

This is the third book in the series and the third one I have read. It's probably my least favorite so far although it wasn't unenjoyable. I really appreciated that when Luis and Tucker were reunited, there wasn't a huge blow-up fight. They were mature and treated their reunion as I would hope that real people would... it was very authentic and I appreciate that.

I think I have enjoyed the fire fighting element that was a bit heavier in the first two books... so that maybe what I was missing. The characters were great. There was some nice diversity with one of them being single and gay, the other demisexual with children. Again, I liked that these two characters were able to resolve their differences and move on.

If you're read the rest of the series, this is definitely worth a read!

Such a great second chance book! Luis and Tucker are both sweet and smokin'. The conflicts were very realistic. I would have liked maybe to see more interaction with Tucker's parents but they weren't really important. I also wanted him to put Heidi a bit more in her place- she was a bit bossy. I loved seeing Tucker as a parent and navigating the twins- and how they reacted to Luis. It was a 5 star read for me as is every book in this series. Annabeth Albert is a favorite author and this series is amazing. Always edited perfectly with layered characters and situations. It is clear she does her research about firefighrers in the Northwest. I also appreciate how she weaves previous characters into books.

Feel the Fire just might be my favorite book in this series! Second chance romances are one of my favorites and Luis and Tucker certainly lived up to that trope! They both have come a long way from the teenagers they were when they were first together and this time there's a lot to learn about who they have become. I really enjoyed the slow burn of them rediscovering one another while getting to know the adult versions of themselves. Tucker has two teenage boys who are his world and a great relationship with his ex-wife and I loved that they were all close and that she wasn't the "bad guy" in this scenario. Wade and Walker were fantastic characters in their own right and such teens it was entertaining. It also rang so true the way they reacted to and interacted with Luis. The backdrop of the arson investigation was intriguing and made for a great side plot to the relationship being at the forefront... Even if my mind guessed completely wrong as to who the arsonist was! This story was definitely about growing and changing and taking a chance and I loved it very much!

Enjoyment: 4/5
Execution: 4/5
Final rating: 4/5

Albert's books are always an enjoyable read and this one was no exception. This is the third installation in her Hotshots series but can be read alone. Her books tend to be loosely related chronologically with previous main characters as side characters, but the overall story stands by itself.

This is a second chance story about two secret high school sweethearts who are forced back together on the job when Luis is temporarily transferred back to central Oregon for an arson investigation. The sudden proximity after years of separation bring back old, but still vibrant and intense, feelings. Tucker is now a dad of two high school boys with an ex-wife, and Luis is mourning the death of his boyfriend, but the two are drawn to each other with their shared history and past friendship. The relationship picks up again quite quickly despite both characters' initial reluctance, and the connection between them grows quickly.

One thing I wish that this story focused on more was the underlying arson investigation. It was very background, which was a little disappointing given how exciting it was building up to be. After all, the whole reason Luis is in Oregon is because of this case. Albert's research into firefighting, etc. is as always very in-depth and realistic, but I was hoping for more action in this part of the story.

I loved all the characters, and loved Tucker's easy relationship with his ex-wife Heidi. The twins provide some comic relief and side plot, and they're quite mature for their age.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've loved each one of these books from Annabeth but I think this one was my favourite because, not only were the protagonists older (approaching their late 30s), but because they communicated so well.

On the face of it, it sounds like it would be a default second chance romance, with recriminations to be overcome and long-felt guilt and hurt to deal with right?

But it's so much more than that. It's a clever exploration of how sometimes the person you were in love with at 16 is the right person, but the timing just wasn't and no-one is ultimately to blame for why you didn't stay together.

It's clear from the moment Luis is told he's being sent back to Oregon - because of his specialist experience in investigating forest fires and arson attacks - that he's dreading returning to the place where he and Tucker fell in love.

A California boy, his family's brief eight-year stay in Painter's Ridge before they moved back to the warmer climes, holds only painful memories for him now but he's also dealing with loss at home too.

When he bumps into Tucker on his first day at work, he's thrown for a loop. He'd expected his teenage love would be married and working his family's ranch, not running the teams dealing with forest fires but you can see instantly the sparks are still there.

What I loved that there was no big blow out here when Tucker and Luis met again. They didn't sulk and mooch about passing sly comments or fighting some angry sex demons (not that that would have been a problem either because they were both fine #justsaying).

Instead, there's a totally mature conversation about long distances, about one time mistakes having life-long consequences (and twin boys 😉 ) and about how the longer time goes on without speaking, the harder it gets to pick up a phone or write a letter.

There's still big issues to deal with though. The path to happiness isn't a straightforward one. There's extended families, the twins are about to graduate and they've got big decisions to make too. And Luis' placement is only temporary.

You get this feeling of overwhelming melancholy alongside the joys with this book and I think Annabeth has picked the narrative perfectly. On the face of it, there is no easy answer.

Both men have commitments in the places they live but they also know they're it for each other and if it doesn't work out again, the future looks sad and lonely. As the tale unfolds, both Luis and Tucker have hard decisions to make and they never try to avoid facing up to the obstacles in their path.

Tucker is demisexual, but his connection to Luis is clear from the start. I felt this was handled in a thoroughly believable way. His feelings for Luis just came back to the front as soon as they saw each other again, his willingness to explore his sexual needs were honestly earned.

There's a real sense of gentleness with this romance, even with all the hurdles the two men have to fight through and, for me, the ending was a true compromise which gave me such a feeling of happiness.

This is a romance with grown-up people making grown-up decisions and it's honest and compelling throughout. I loved it.

Tucker and Luis made promises to each other when they were separated in high school. Life threw curves which it often does and they didn’t see each other again for years, but that’s not to say they forgot each other. When fate brings Luis back to Oregon to help with a possible serial arsonist Tucker just happens to be his welcome wagon. The chemistry explodes and before long they are rediscovering each other and remembering how sweetly hot it was between them.

This was sorta instalove because of the past. I definitely enjoyed them relearning each other.

The author puts a lot of research time in on her books so I have no doubt the book is as authentic as she could make it. The characters, including Tucker’s twins, were great and gave some comic relief from the intensity of Luis and Tucker’s feelings.

Writing was good and this could probably be read as a standalone.

We have the story of Luis who 20 years previously left home & Tucker behind. Tucker had promised that he would follow, but he never did. Since then he got married & had twin boys, who were awesome, and then divorced. He is raising his sons with his ex. I was glad to see that she was not an evil ex. Turns out that Tucker is demisexual and I do enjoy reading them because you need that emotional connection before the sexual attraction comes along & it's not, I've been jumping into bed with everyone & anyone. I enjoyed watching when these two get thrown into this investigation together realize that the feelings from 20 years ago are still there. They have actual discussions about what happened, why things happened the way they did, and what they want for the future. I also enjoy the investigation part of it. I enjoy with there are other things going on instead of just the romance part. My biggest issue is that they arrested someone for the arson but then that is the last we hear of that. Who was it? Were they really the arsonist? Why did they do that? Even though this is the 3rd book in the series & the other couples make cameo appearances, IMO this could be read as a stand-a-lone.

Tucker and Luis were wonderful characters and their second chance romance was a great third addition to the Hotshot series. I seriously enjoyed how the avoided the pitfall that plagues other romances, the almost deliberate lack of communication. Them clearing the air early on allowed them to get to know each other all over again and take advantage of the second chance life had given them. Excellent from beginning to end.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by NetGalley*

4 stars
Fire specialist Luis Riviera is being sent on an assignment from California back to Oregon where he spent his teen years. But he is worried about the memories he might encounter.

It seems much worse when he is reunited on the job with the boy he loved and lost twenty years ago, Tucker Ryland. They were best friends and first loves, but got separated due to no fault of their own. But long-distance, lack of control, and choices broke their hearts and they have not communicated since. But now Luis and Tucker will be working closely on a rash of arson fires.

Tucker cannot regret one choice he made because it gave him his teenage twin sons. And the choices he has made since mostly have had their well-being in mind. He works in a safer, more stable area of fire fighting in fire management in his small hometown in Oregon. He is divorced, but still co-parents. He has admitted his demisexuality to his family but has kept it private at work.

Luis is doing what he loves as a fire behaviorist, but still lives a pretty solitary life despite his family living in California as well. He has loved and lost and does not think he will get serious again.

These two have a lot of unresolved feelings, past pain, resentment, and regrets. But once they finally start clearing the air, they also remember all the good in their history. And now as fully grown, mature men they find even more attraction and passion.

I loved these two together. Tucker is inexperienced but ready to enjoy Luis' guidance and explore new things. They have chemistry and this bond that seems to click right back into place. I loved how understanding and patient Luis was with Tucker, and how willing Tucker was to try and include Luis into his daily life. But they have a big time stamp overshadowing their happiness as well. They know time is limited and there will be no easy way to end it without getting hurt and ending up right back in the same situation as before.

This is a sweet, sexy, emotional, inspiring, first love, second chance, M/M love story about finding a soul mate, choices, and following your dreams. Even though the arson investigation is part of the story, this is more about their relationship and lives rather than actually fighting fires. I liked that they were mature, had life experience, and could communicate. And both Luis and Tucker had opportunities for growth and had their own choices to make. These two had deep roots in their locations and people depending on them, but it will come down to either sacrificing their own needs or being willing to make other sacrifices in order to fight for the other person.

I enjoyed seeing glimpses of other characters from this series, but it can be read as a total stand-alone. I adored Tucker's teen sons, Walker and Wade, and how their stories and advice also had an effect on how Tucker and Luis viewed their situation. The whole family aspect of this one made it feel more real, but also added complications. But I totally fell for these guys and I was rooting for them to find an answer that would finally give them both their well deserved happy ever after.

I was really worried when I started that this was going to be a whole book of the characters not talking about the miscommunication they had when they were children. Color me very surprised and happy when they almost instantly clear the air and actually talk to each other like adults should. My biggest pet peeve in romances is when the leads don't communicate like how are you supposed to have a healthy relationship when you can't even talk to each other? I also appreciated how they solved there "how do we work and how sacrifices for the other" conundrum because children do add that level of conundrum. The one teen ready to sacrifice his dreams for a girl he's not been with for very long grated a lot on me though because he so clearly didn't want to stay and that relationship was so doomed. Like I don't think the story needed that.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Feel the fire was everything I wanted when going into this novel and more. One thing however is I am not a fan of one of the main character having kids, especially in a steamy novel. But since I knew that going into this it didn't bother me as much.

This book was Hot and Steamy, a romance between fire behaviour specialists. One a dad of two teen twins (Tucker). I love second chance romances, especially between characters who were together when they were teens themselves and when they have a palpable chemistry such as Tucker and Luis had. They cross path long after their old romance when they are now both adults and forced to work together investigating an arson. When Luis is asked by his agency to go back to his hometown where he discovered he was gay and his childhood love broke his heart.

They develop a mutual respect for one another and discover the chemistry and love they held for one another has not diminished in the least, together they make sparks. They begin a relationship, both seeing the unfortunate expiration date it has as their lives are in two different places, Luis in LA and Tucker in their hometown. They both want everything, they now have to work out and see if it is possible to have everything together.

This novel was well written as they always are with her books, I easily fell into the story but while I did find that their love felt real I did not enjoy their romance as much as some of her other books. I also went into this expecting some intrigue and suspense because of the arson and unfortunately I did not. Overall the novel was well thought out and the author wrote something believable though not as romantic as I desired. I loved that Tucker was demisexual (because representation) and that it felt similar to how my experience with demisexuality is. I also liked that the author did not take a long time to clear the air between our two main character and how open they were with each other, especially in regards to Tucker's old wife, which prevented a lot of unnecessary misunderstanding.

All in all I really enjoyed this novel and I cannot wait to read more of Annabeth Albert's books !

4.5/5 stars

Bookarina

Book three in Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series is a second-chance romance between two men – best friends - who fell in love as teens, but were parted when one family moved away and their plans to be together didn’t work out. It’s a trope I generally enjoy, and I’m pleased to say that my expectations were met; Feel the Fire is a poignant, sexy and satisfying romance featuring likeable, complex characters whose intense emotional connection leaps off the page.

California-based fire behaviour specialist Luis Rivera isn’t too pleased at being asked to head up to central Oregon for a few weeks to help out at the Painter’s Ridge airbase, but the hotshot crew there is seriously shorthanded at a time they’re having to deal with a spate of fires they believe to be the result of arson.  This sort of thing isn’t unusual; ever tightening budgets and hiring freezes mean Luis has been ‘loaned out’ to other forest services before, but Painter’s Ridge holds painful memories and is somewhere he’d never planned to go back to.  Still, he can’t really refuse, especially as his particular area of expertise is likely to be useful in helping to capture the arsonist – and in any case, he’s unlikely to run into the guy who broke his heart twenty years before.  Most likely, Tucker is happily running the family ranch with his wife and passel of kids.

Tucker Ryland and Luis more or less grew up together and were each other’s first love.  When they were sixteen, Luis’ family moved to California, and the plan was for Tucker to move to be with him as soon as possible, but those plans had to be put on hold when Tucker’s dad had a heart attack and Tucker was needed on the family ranch.  Time dragged on with Tucker stuck in Oregon and Luis not-so-patiently waiting for Tucker to join him – but eventually, and with no idea of when Tucker would be able to get away, that patience ran out, and things between them didn’t end well. Twenty years later, Tucker gets one helluva shock when he realises that the arson specialist coming to Painter’s Ridge on temporary assignment from the Angeles National Forest is the same boy – well, man now – who’d left town with Tucker’s heart all those years ago.

Their first meeting is somewhat awkward to say the least, as they try to reconcile their memories with the reality of each other as they are now.  Neither is quite sure how to handle it; they were everything to each other once upon a time and now, they’re practically strangers.  Tucker can feel the anger coming off Luis in waves; he knows they’ll have to talk at some point, but he’s not looking forward to it.  And Luis… well, he his anger is down to the fact that he doesn’t want to have to deal with the old hurts and memories seeing Tucker again has brought to the surface.  Yet it’s very quickly apparent that whatever the cause of the tension and frustration each can sense coming from the other, there’s something else there, too, some little, long buried spark that neither man is actually sure he wants but can’t fail to recognise.  Before long, that spark ignites (pun intended!) and the soul-deep connection the two men feel carries over into an intense physical relationship. But Luis’ presence in Oregon was always going to be temporary, and the supreme irony that they’re going end up exactly where they were twenty years earlier is not lost on either of them.  They’re no longer teens who think the world well lost for love, they’re grown men who have put down roots and made lives and careers for themselves. So the question now is – are they prepared to do what it takes in order to make a life together?

Feel the Fire is an expertly crafted, character-driven romance, and Annabeth Albert does a wonderful job of showing how Luis and Tucker getting past that initial awkwardness, then gradually getting to know the men they are now and essentially falling in love all over again.  While the arson plotline is the main impetus for bringing the couple back together, it’s very much a secondary storyline because the main focus is firmly on the relationship, which develops organically and in a way that is refreshingly mature because of the way that Luis and Tucker are so honest with each other. They talk things through, admit their mistakes, and display a degree of acceptance and understanding (I loved that Luis was always so careful to check with Tucker – who is demisexual - about his limits) that not only feels absolutely right for a couple in their mid-thirties, but also provides an interesting and effective contrast with their rather idealistic romance when they were teens.  I’ve read some early reviews that criticised the book’s pacing for being on the slow side, but I’d have to disagree; the pacing is realistic given Luis and Tucker haven’t seen each other for twenty years and have to get to know each other again, and also, because they’re adults with adult responsibilities and a couple of decades of emotional baggage under their belts, they are naturally more cautious and often have other people and situations to consider before they act.

In Tucker’s case those responsibilities are his twin sons, Wade and Walker, who are seventeen and approaching big changes in their lives.  They’re as different as chalk and cheese; Wade is a real extrovert – outgoing, lively and says whatever comes into his head – and looking forward to leaving home for college, while Walker is quieter and more cautious, clearly struggling with something and not wanting to talk about it.  Wade’s enthusiastic matchmaking for his dad is funny and oddly sweet (I had to laugh when he gave Tucker a box of condoms and told him to have fun!). They’re well-rounded characters in their own right, and their relationships with each other and Tucker are very well written.  I appreciated that Tucker’s ex-wife isn’t demonised and that we’re shown them successfully co-parenting the twins and being supportive of each other.

As I’ve noted in the previous books, the author’s research into the work of the people involved in wildfire fighting is excellent and used to very good effect, and I love that this series features characters in very unusual professions.  Feel the Fire is my favourite Hotshots book so far – it’s a romantic, touching story about rediscovery and reconnection - and realising it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

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My thoughts
Rating: 4
Would I recommend it? Yes , ever since I started reading this series I've been talking about to my friends,some even said they would check it or have added to their TBR.
Would I read more of this series? Yes, I'm hooked on it and have already read all 3 books in this series.
Would I read more by this author? Yes
First off I want to thank the publisher Carina Press-Harlequin for the invite to read it and to continue on with this series as well as a big thinks to the author and Netgalley because this is one of my all time favorite male /male firefighter romance series that I love to read, in fact I think its the only one I've ever read. One of the reason I loved this one was is that it was a second chance romance where the two main characters got a chance at been together and getting to fellow your dreams , it was well written and very sweet,and the story just came to life right before your very eyes.

Tucker grew up believing that he would leave his small home town in Oregon and follow his boyfriend, Luis, to LA when high school ended. Flash forward twenty years and Tucker's still in Oregon, his twin-sons a year away from graduating high school, and suddenly Luis is back in town, investigating a series of suspected arson cases and liaising with Tucker during the height of the fire season. 

Second-chance romances aren't always the ones I reach for, but this one was a lot of fun. There's a lot of history between Tucker and Luis that we learn about throughout the narrative, and the reasons behind the decisions they've made. Despite any anger or bitterness that remains between the two of them, there's also a clear sense of connection and togetherness.

One thing I think Albert does really well in her books is weaving family life into the romance of her stories. It's not in every book, but when it is it feels very natural. We learn that Tucker and his ex-wife got pregnant really young and had twins and they worked hard to stay together for the sake of the two boys but ultimately realised that it was better if they were apart, but raised the boys together. So now you have a (common) blended family scenario with Tucker and his ex-wife (and her new partner) co-parenting successfully and without animosity. I especially loved the detail of weekly family dinners with all of them - highlighting the importance everyone places on family and connectedness - and the importance of that when Luis is eventually invited to participate.

I also loved the twins - their teenage high school drama and general sassiness was just on point and so much fun.

Feel the Fire was a very enjoyable read, filled with romantic tension, as well as the nods to the fire community, too.

This is the third book in the Hotshot series, and I found it just as enjoyable as the last two. This is Tucker and Luis story. This story is about family and second chances at love again. This is a feel good story and you can’t help help cheering for Tucker and Luis and a happily ever after.

Feel the Fire is book three in the Hotshots series by Annabeth Albert. This is a M/M second chance romance. Teenage love given a second chance twenty years later.

“How many chances in life did a person get to have what they truly wanted?”

Luis Riviera is thirty five years old and is a fire behavior specialist in Los Angeles, CA. With the current hiring freeze, it’s not unusual that Luis get loaned out to other agencies if they are in need. But when his boss told him that there was a suspected arsonist setting wildfires in Painter’s Ridge, Oregon, the town where Luis lived as a teen, he was less than happy about the assignment. It was where Luis first discovered he was gay, and it was where he first fell in love. Only it ended in heartbreak when Luis’s family moved to California and the boy who had his heart, also broke it twenty years ago.

Tucker Ryland lives in the same town he grew up in but is now a divorced father of twin seventeen year old boys. Tucker is a fire management expert and loves his job. When his boss told him they were bringing in someone to help with the arson investigation, he was surprised, but when he saw just who it was, he couldn’t believe his eyes. After all these years, the boy he had once given his heart to was standing in the same office as he was.

“He might not be the same boy anymore, but he was a man, and that was possibly more devastating to Tucker’s sanity.”

As Tucker and Luis work together, they also get the opportunity to finally clear the air between them. Then, as they get to know the men they have become, they also develop a deep respect for each other and the lives they live. Of one thing they are both certain, what was once between them as boys, is still there now, even after twenty years. But it is now something bigger, something better. Only Tucker’s life is in Oregon, his kids, his job, his friends. Luis’s is in Los Angeles. Their time together has an expiration date, or does it?

“He wanted everything. And now the only question was how on earth he was supposed to get it.”

This was a well written, very sweet and sexy story of second chances and of following your dreams. First, I want to say how much I love the covers of all three of the books in this series. This is a pretty long book and for some reason, I just couldn’t find my groove. Luis and Tucker were clearly perfect for each other but I couldn’t feel their connection. Tucker was a fantastic father to his boys. I loved the open way he was with him and the relationship he had with his ex-wife. And it’s obvious that the author did a lot of research for this. I just didn’t feel their love the way I wanted to. I hoped the arson aspect of this would be a little more suspenseful. All in all, though, it is a sweet story with a gratifying Happy Ever After.

Feel the Fire is the third book in the Hotshots series and this one deals with second-chance romance. Back when they were teenagers, Luis and Tucker thought they'd be together forever... until life got in the way.

This is a character-driven slow-burn of a book in which Tucker and Luis rediscover their attraction to each other and figure out just what, if anything, they can do going forward.

I loved this one! The guys from the other books play cameo roles in here too but the focus is mainly on Tucker and Luis. Both of them led very different lives to the ones they had imagined and it's all about their reconnection and hopeful possibilities.

I also love reading about the different jobs that are available and seeing what impact each role has. And there is also Luis' role of being the single man who can travel, plus Tucker's role as husband (ex), father, and boyfriend. There is definitely something for everyone here and I personally highly recommend it.

The only downside I can think of is you never found out who the arsonist was!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Once again, Annabeth Albert crushes it. This installment of the queer forest fire fighters was great, and the characters (as usual) showed a lot of growth. The background/secondary characters were also well characterized, something I think Albert is getting better at. The dilemma one of the teenage sons faces is realistic and his thoughts and fears are well-expressed and relatable. I’m glad that even though some of the sex scenes are a little formulaic the rest of the romance is different enough from book to book that it doesn’t feel rote.