All Fired Up is the sequel to Dylan Newton’s debut novel, How Sweet It Is. Imani Lewis, who was a side character in How Sweet, finds her own romance in All Fired Up. She is a successful publicist for a New York publisher, and her biggest client is best-selling horror writer Drake Matthews. She had a two night- stand with Drake’s younger brother, Zander, at Drake and Kate’s wedding. Then Imani ghosted Zander.

All Fired Up begins with Imani taking an unpaid leave from work in order to care for her grandmother in upstate New York while she has a double-knee replacement. Zander picks Imani up from the airport which forces her to confront her behavior towards him. Zander is a hot-air balloon pilot in addition to being the owner of a successful chain of pottery-and-wine studios. His laidback approach to life contrasts with his family and friends’ more type-A personalities, so he doesn’t get as much respect.

Imani must decide if she wants to rekindle her relationship with Zander, while caring for her beloved Gigi. She also must negotiate her personal feelings against her professional responsibilities to Drake, her most important client. Zander encourages her to resume dancing, which she loved when she was younger. I will admit that Zander Matthews is the most swoon-worthy leading man I have read about this year.

This is a well-written story with engaging characters, realistic dialogue, a well-developed plot, and good pacing. It is easy to follow the story even if you haven’t read How Sweet It Is first. I want to go back and read How Sweet It Is to enjoy Kate and Drake’s romantic story. Zander and Drake’s middle brother, Ryker, is a secondary character who I hope will be the hero in a future book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first book in this standalone series last summer and had been really looking forward to book two. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. There was a lot of potential in the story, but I didn't feel like the execution was there. A lot of the beginning of the story was spent catching us up on the character's history, whereas I feel like it could have been better accomplished in a prologue or similar set-up.

The main thing that made this one a difficult read for me was that it relied on the dialogue to do a lot of work in the story, which led to a lot of awkward sounding conversations that took a way from the enjoyment of the story.

Thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Imani hooked up with Zander (Drake's brother from How Sweet It Is) after Drake and Kate's wedding, but then she basically ghosted him. Nine months later, she will be spending the summer in Wellsville, NY to help her grandmother recover from surgery. And Zander hopes to rekindle their relationship (pun intended).

I really liked both Imani and Zander and the insight the story gave us to both. And I felt they were such a good match to each other. Their chemistry was hot with a surprisingly slow burn given their past history.

It was great to see previous characters, especially Drake, Kate, and Ryker. My favorite new character was Imani's grandmother Gigi. She is absolutely amazing. Her parrot Lancelot is an awful terror, but Gigi is hilarious.

I appreciated the way in which body image and disordered eating were addressed. And I also liked the acknowledgement of the difficult work of caregiving and importance of therapy and mental health.

You can read this as a standalone, but it's more fun following How Sweet It Is. This is a great addition to the series, and I am so excited to see where it goes next.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Imani and Zander. They are thrown together again when Imani returns to her hometown to care for her grandmother while she recovers from knee surgery. They are so very opposite of each other, Imani preferring structures, to-do lists and organizations while Zander is more a free spirit, go with the flow kind of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. He doesn't hide the fact that he wants Imani as more than the one-night stand they shared the year before. This book was lighthearted and full of humor, it left me with a book hangover.

I wasn't aware that this was the second book in a series but I didn’t feel lost at all! I will be going back and ready book one though!

Dylan Newton's newest book, All Fired Up, was the perfect choice for my most recent Spring Break beach trip. Her newest romcom is set in my hometown of Wellsville, NY. and centers around the relationship of Imani and Zander. They couldn't be more different, but as we know, love works in mysterious ways.

Anyone who grew up in a small town will really know how well Newton captures the essence of its nuisances and culture. Every little town has the Matthews brothers, a Grandma Gigi, and friends that are more like family. This is small town life, and you don't have to be from Wellsville to get that.

I really enjoyed All Fired Up by Dylan Newton. If you love romcoms, this is one worth reading. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this delightful book.

A really fun, sweet, inspiring read. I loved the first book about Kate & Drake and was excited to read Zander and Imani’s story. This was a great book with lots of plot action but sweet romance too, plus many laugh out loud moments. It was a fast read. Now to wait for Ryker’s story!

*thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ebook ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dylan Newton, and Forever Publishing for the ARC of this book.

I will begin this by saying that I have not yet read How Sweet It Is which is the predecessor to this book but it is not necessary. All Fired Up stands on it's own very well.

I really appreciated the relationship of Imani and Zander. I always enjoy second chance stories. We watch them work through many personal demons and issues to get to a good place.

The author really brings these characters to life. I feel for Imani and all the stress she deals with. Though Zander is written as a very flighty person, he still comes off as a solid person you can depend on. It does drive me crazy how Imani makes assumptions about him without even really knowing the real person underneath. She does thankfully redeem herself. The side characters are hilarious. I cannot wait to learn more about the other Matthews brother, Ryker, in his own book coming up.

All Fired Up was a good read and I was able to finish it in 2 days. Would definitely recommend it!

She’s a planner, and he’s an in-the-moment guy hoping to win her heart.

How Sweet It Is was a HUGE hit for me, and I am overjoyed that Newton brought us back to this world. I had such a hardcore love for these characters, and it was a special treat to get to spend more time with them.

The stars of this book were Imani and Zander. As a publicist, Imani was always planning, but planning was also a coping mechanism, a way for her to be in control. Zander was committed to living in the moment. His life philosophy was the polar opposite of Imani’s, yet they found so much comfort and joy in each other. I rather liked this match. The chemistry was undeniable, but it was the way they grew alongside each other that delighted me most. Neither were living the life they really wanted or needed, and being with each other helped them find that balance and the bravery to chase their dreams.

I loved these slightly damaged characters, and had no doubt they belonged together. Honestly, Zander owned my heart. He was so sweet, tender, and considerate, and all his little gestures of love made me melt. Obviously he wasn’t perfect, but he had so many redeeming qualities, it was easy to overlook his flaws. There were these parts where he and Imani bared their souls to each other, and that sort of hero is one I cannot resist.

I also delighted in the family dynamics. The Matthews family was so wonderful, and I reveled in all that brotherly love. Mom Matthews and Imani’s Gigi were always there to drop some wisdom, too. I had a fantastic time with them all, and I am eager to return for Ryker’s romance.

Overall: Once again, I had an amazing time in Wellsville. There was lots of laughter and smilies, and even a few tears, as I cheered for Imani and Zander as they found their HEA.

This book didn't have the same flare that I fell in love with How Sweet It Is. To me, I think with All Fired Up it was a combo of the story and the main couple that I couldn't be completely invested in. This one also had a more serious tone to it, but it just wasn't what I was looking for for Imani and Zander. I think I will still give Ryker's book a shot.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

What a great follow-up to Newton's last novel, How Sweet It Is! I read that one recently, and I'm so glad it was fresh in my mind when I read All Fired Up. The characters are lovely, as is the setting. I love the balance between sweetness and seriousness.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Cheesy romance is my go to. Add in a hot air balloon with some spice and I was a GONER!! Dylan Newton had me rolling my eyes and smiling throughout this book! Imani and Zander taught me that it’s ok to plan for the future but also to enjoy the moment you are in. I was hooked with this story and sped through it. Characters had good depth, dialogue was easy, and I connected emotional mt to several different characters.

Book 2/3 of interconnected standalone (book 1 happy ending is revealed)

18+ Always check content warnings. 😘

Special thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this digital ARC.

I made it to about chapter 4 in this book, and I just could not get into it. It had a very strong start, and it is a book I could have enjoyed a lot, but something about the style in which it was written just made it hard for me to delve into. I would still recommend trying this book if you are someone who doesn't have a preferred writing style, but if you're like me, steer clear, friends!

I was so excited to read this second book by Dylan Newton! It brings back all my favorite characters from How Sweet It Is along with some new ones (the foul mouth parrot might be my favorite)!

Zander and Imani’s relationship started as a one night stand but they can’t get each other out of their heads. When Imani comes back to town to help her grandmother recover from surgery, Zander wants to pick up right where they left off. Imani isn’t quite sure though because their personalities are so different. Zander is a more free spirit while Imani is more type A.

I loved how they complimented each other and helped the other evolve and see the world a little differently. There was a mental health aspect as well which I LOVED! I highly recommend All Fired Up and this whole series. Hope there will be more!

I’m still getting little tingles of excitement when I think about how much I love Zander and Imani and this absolutely adorable book!

When these two characters were introduced in How Sweet It Is, I immediately found myself feeling desperate to know what their story would look like. Their flirty banter was too cute and I just had this feeling that they could become total couple goals! I’m proud to announce that I was absolutely right.

Imani reminded me so much of myself that it was slightly uncomfortable at times. She’s a list-maker, rule-follower, and planner – ready to tackle anything that comes her way, as long as it’s in her schedule. Zander is the opposite of her in just about everything. He’s impulsive, a bit reckless, and prefers a good adventure to the idea of stability. They are the epitome of “opposites attract!”

One of the things that stood out to me in this book was just how much character development there was, and it wasn’t just Imani or just Zander, but it really took both of them working on themselves and learning how to overcome their setbacks to lead better lives – together and as individuals. This showed what it’s really like to be dedicated to having a healthy relationship because without sacrifice and the willingness to learn, you’ll get nowhere. But if you’re willing to put in the effort to work on yourself, it will only lead to a better partnership.

I absolutely love a dual POV when it comes to romance books because it’s so much fun to see what actually leads the characters to one another. Zander’s POV was probably my favorite because he’s totally smitten with Imani from the get-go, but he has to take a step back and allow her to take the reins. His inward struggle to avoid coming on too strong is really precious and yet, he’s willing to do anything it takes to make sure she knows he’s there for her.

I was incredibly happy that Drake and Kate were such a huge part of this book! I absolutely loved How Sweet It Is and was so thrilled to find out what their life looked like and how it played into Zander and Imani’s story. There were also a few new faces to join the old ones, like Imani’s hilariously adorable Gigi and her very crass parrot (who made me laugh out loud more than once). While reading, it’s hard to separate this town and cast from reality because they truly just feel like an extension of my own life. They’re so lovable!

Oh, OH, and how can I forget the HOT AIR BALLOON! Oh.My.Gosh. This entire plot point from beginning to end was absolutely fantastic. Charming, creative, educational, terrifying, adventurous, and SPICY would be just a few words I could use to describe the chain of events in those couple of chapters. That alone makes it all worth reading (if I hadn’t already convinced you).

Okay, it’s obvious I could rave about All Fired Up all day long so I’ll end here, but seriously, you won’t want to miss this one!

[CW: (major) Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/injury detail, (moderate) Blood and Grief, (minor) War]

All Fired Up is a second chance, opposites attract, smalltown romantic comedy. In addition to fans of How Sweet It Is, All Fired Up would be perfect for fans of the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese, the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert, the Hot and Hammered trilogy by Tessa Bailey, and the Written in the Stars trilogy by Alexandria Bellefleur.

All Fired Up is a companion novel to How Sweet It Is; it is not necessary to have read How Sweet It Is before you read All Fired Up, but I would definitely recommend it as it would significantly improve your reading experience. All Fired Up takes place about a year or two after How Sweet It Is and focuses on Drake Matthew’s publicist/ Kate Sweet’s best friend Imani and Drake’s younger brother Zander. Having recently enjoyed How Sweet It Is, I loved how the plot seamlessly flowed from Drake and Kate’s story in How Sweet It Is to Imani and Zander’s story in All Fired Up. Furthermore, I appreciated that Imani and Zander had already been introduced in How Sweet It Is and I was delighted that Drake and Kate continued to play prominent roles in All Fired Up (I love getting to see how my favourite characters’ stories continue post happily ever after). I also need to compliment Dylan Newton’s writing, especially of my favourite scene - Imani and Zander’s memorable hot air balloon ride, which is depicted in the book’s cover art. I have never been in a hot air balloon and have little knowledge on the subject, but Dylan Newton’s writing of this scene was so realistic, detailed, and well thought out, I felt like I was actually in the hot air balloon with Imani and Zander.

Honestly, there wasn’t much about this book that I didn’t like. One minor flaw was that I felt like there was too much of the “will they, won’t they” trope as, despite constantly spending time together and obviously being attracted to each other, it took a long time before Imani decided to give Zander a second chance. I also felt like the birth scene depicted towards the end of the book was a tad too graphic for my tastes.

Overall, I found All Fired Up to be a unique, romantic, and engaging read that I would highly recommend to fellow romance readers.

All Fired Up

This is the sequel to How Sweet It Is and the characters from the first are in this one as well, but this can easily be read as a standalone. I love revisiting characters from the first book in sequels to see where they are in their lives, but also love getting a whole new set of characters and story lines.

I'm from upstate NY and I love that this set of siblings is also from the area - this book takes place outside Buffalo in Wellsville. One of the dates Imani and Zander went on was the well known Wellsville Balloon Rally! You learn a lot more about hot air balloons and the process of ceramics.

Zander did show several moments of immaturity throughout the book but we do see some growth, self-awareness, and to see him navigate his career goals. Imani came off a bit as a know it all but Zander brought a great dynamic to her personality and balanced her high strung personality well. The star of this book was Imani's grandmother, Gigi, who is fantastic! She is funny, adores her granddaughter, and has a very saucy personality! Some of the jokes seemed a bit reaching and over the top for me but this one still made me smile overall!

This book features:
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
Friends to lovers
Small town romance
And a witty and foul mouthed parrot!

Looking forward to Ryker's story in the next one in the series!

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc Of All Fired Up by Dylan Newton.

I really loved How Sweet it Is by Newton and was highly anticipating this novel! The characters were so great to visit again and I absolutely love the secondary cast of characters. I hope there will be a book 3 in the series - I will definitely be picking it up!

While I loved Newton’s writing, a few things/character choices rubbed me the wrong way . I felt a bit annoyed after a while that Zander kept asking Imani out after she said no. Once or twice was a bit endearing but it got repetitive , and he kept saying how hard it was to leave the ball in her court. I do think this immaturity is part of his character, and we do see growth, but after a while it started to read more like he was patting himself on the back for listening to her wishes when really that should be the expectation and minimum we expect In Relationships.

*slight spoiler here* I found Kate’s birth unnecessarily traumatic. As someone who had a very similar traumatic birth story, I found this part of the story to be done in poor taste. There was no reason for it to be this traumatic in the story, it didn’t further any plot line in the book besides to add ~drama~ , perhaps some comedic aspect (it was not funny to me) and bring other characters together. I personally think less traumatic birth story , or to have this written about in a more respectful manner, would have accomplished the same end result. My own traumatic experience is definitely skewing my interpretation of this scene but it definitely impacted my reading of this book.

I still recommend reading this one ! Just be aware of these triggers going in.

Other CW: mention of IED explosion, suicide, amputation and recovery, death of a parent (fire) and mental health aspects

All Fired Up is a stunning book about discovering yourself, finding your person, opening up to others, welcoming people to who want to help you, and realizing life doesn’t have to follow a set of rules.

Life is short, so live each day the best you can!
This book touched on sensitive but important topics such as struggles with mental health, grief, and survivors guilt in a loving and respectful way.

But no need to fear- there was much hilarity and fun to be had throughout the pages! We got more of Drake and Katie along with Imani’s grandmother Gigi (and her parrot Lancelot) PLUS we got to know Ryker better (his story is next!)

Zander is the perfect sparkling sunshine match for Imani, and I cannot wait for future updates in Ryker’s story!

After reading and enjoying How Sweet It Is, I was happy to find out it would be a series with a book following each Matthews brother. I loved All Fired Up and Imani and Zander are my favorite Dylan Newton pairing so far!

When Imani was introduced in How Sweet It Is, I liked her right from the start and I enjoyed her getting the spotlight in All Fired Up. I find her incredibly relatable in that she puts everyone else’s needs above her own, even when her loved ones tell her she needs to do what’s best for her, not them.

Her and Zander were a great match for each other, even if Imani tried to fight her attraction to him every step of the way. In the first book Zander was a bit of a show-off, but I liked getting to see a side to him where things didn’t automatically go his way and he had to fight for what he wanted. I really liked the journey he went on in growing up, figuring what he wanted for his future, and working towards how to make it happen. He was so sweet with Imani, even when she made comments about his lifestyle, and he would do anything to show her the kind of person he really was.

I loved that the characters you meet in How Sweet It Is still have a prominent role in this book, and I can’t wait to catch up with all of the characters again in Ryker’s book!

Spoilers ahead!! Readers be warned!

I enjoyed this sweet romcom. I thought it was really well written. The author was great at explaining what was happening, who’s POV it was and keeping the story well paced.

My biggest issue with it was the ending. I don’t love it when the girls leaves her whole world behind for them boy, who won’t leave his world behind for her. Big city girl moves to small town for boy without a thought. I wish there was more compromise. I did enjoy that he “grew up” more at the end.

The ending had a lot going on, so it moved quickly! The pacing was great. I enjoyed that the couple actually communicated!

I recommend this sweet rom com! I devoured it in a day!