Absolutely loved this book.
I found myself tearing up multiple times in the end.
It's one of those romances that you just keep cheering for. Imani and Zander thought that they were complete opposites. But what they needed was each others eye opening and opposite lifestyles to see that they were living their lives wrong. I admire Imani's hard working attitude. Zander definitely stole my heart. He is kind, selfless and easy going. Plus funny!
5/5 for sure.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for letting me read an advanced readers copy in return for my honest review.

The descriptions are fantastic and really allow you to see what’s going on.

I loved Imani’s relationship with her grandmother along with how issues were addressed and dealt with. I also really liked that other characters featured as prominently as they did.

I’m really looking forward to Ryker’s story next!

I'm guessing this will be an unpopular opinion here, but I had to DNF this book at 30% because I just couldn't get into it. I think this had potential and the writing wasn't necessarily bad, but I just didn't feel invested in Zander or Imani's story. Just in the little bit that I read, there were several parts that were repetitive. Zander was called a thirst trap five times by his sister-in-law, and then objectified by two elderly women- both of which were awkward. Then there's Gigi's parrot, Lancelot. I guess he's supposed to be funny, but he just screams swear words and yells as if he's being attacked. I just couldn't. The first book in this series was decent, but unfortunately I just didn't have a desire to continue with this one.

I thought this book was so cute. I loved how from the beginning we knew the main couple was meant for each other. Zander gave me all of the feels and I felt like Imani was extremely relatable as a reader. Every interaction between the couple was well written and usually funny. I loved how Kate and Drew from How Sweet It Is were featured in this book! I wish there was a bit more steam but overall a great romance!

i really liked this book. This was a pleasant book to read and I will read more from her. Liked it all. from start to finish. pure enjoyment. I liked the first book in the series and this was, was just a great.

After a one night stand 9 months ago, Imani is back in Wellsville to help with her grandmother's knee surgery. From the moment she gets off the plane, Imani keeps running into Zander, her one night stand. Determined that their night(s) together was more than just a fling, Zander sets out to make Imani give a relationship a chance.

This book is the second in a series of books - I didn't realize that before picking up this book, however I don't think that took away from my enjoyment of the book at all.

If you are looking for a romcom that is both light hearted but also deals with some heavier subjects, this book is for you. I found myself LOLing at one unique "character" throughout this book (seriously, ask my husband) and felt the spark between Imani and Zander from the beginning. I will for sure be watching for Newton's third book so I can continue to follow the Matthews brothers' stories!

Thank you to NetGalley + Forever Publishing for this ARC

I read this book in one day! It was that good. Right away your hooked on wanting to know what will happen between Imani and Zander. They have great chemistry and had a two night stand a year back. The two of them meeting again was a hilarious scene. It was fun reading how Imani is still very much attracted to Zander but doesn’t want to act upon it.
I really loved how Zander keeps the ball in Imani’s court and leaves it to her to make the first move. It melted my heart reading all the ways he helps Imani and her grandmother. I also really enjoyed reading all his thoughts on life.
Imani’s grandmother is hilarious! She doesn’t shy away from speaking her mind and even encourages Imani to sleep with Zander! There was a scene were the grandmother thinks he’s a stripper! I was cracking up!
I was so happy to see that Katie from How Sweet It Is was featured a lot in the book as she is Imani’s best friend. I loved getting to see what was happening to the couple and reading about her pregnancy and birth!
I must talk about Imani’s grandmother’s pet bird. All that bird does is curse like crazy! I could not stop laughing every time he came on up in scenes!

Read if you like:
3rd person dual POVs
Swoons hero
Hilarious grandmother
Hilarious pet bird
Supportive friend
Open door romance
Small town romance
Ex veteran hero

Everyone needs a Zander in their lives! He was sweet and caring and just a great guy!
As much as I liked Zander, I didn’t love Imani. She just fell a little flat and I wished she would have been a bit more introspective. She needed more people pushing her in her life. It was also a little too slow of a slow burn for me.
However, Zander and Gigi were the shining lights in this book! I loved them!

“How Sweet It Is” lived up to its name with the delectable and delightful romance that developed between a horror novelest nicknamed the Knight of Nightmares and the queen of romance. If the first Matthews brother book was a cupcake with buttercream and sprinkles on top, then “All Fired Up” is a rich, decadent brownie: deeply satisfying and a little bad for you, but so, so delicious.

Imani and Zander set the page on fire with the sparks igniting between them. After a one night stand that lasted two days, Imani went back to New York and Zander’s heart went with her. Sort of. He wanted to get to know her better, but she’d declined to respond to his messages and pretty much took the easy way out. However, when back in the same city limits, Imani finds it a lot harder to deny the attraction and chemistry between her and Zander.

I loved getting to know Zander and Imani. Zander seems perfect with his zen mantra and go-with-the-flow attitude. He is immediately engaging and made my blood pump a little faster. Imani is direct to the point of being slightly intimidating. Typically men are bold and direct, and it’s expected of them. For a woman, it can be off-putting so I found it refreshing to see those characteristics come alive in a female like Imani.

Seeing these two work together and how their personalities blend together was a real treat.

I could go on and on about what I loved, but I want you all to read this, too, so I’ll just end with this: above all, I loved learning more about Ryker. Knowing his story comes next has me itching for new pages. He’s edgy and broody, and I have a feeling he’s going to be the flourless chocolate cake that is almost too good to resist.
No pressure, Dylan!

Very cute and easy read. I usually don’t pick up books in third person, but the way this was written was very enjoyable. I felt like I was still getting to see and understand how the characters felt without feeling like a spectator. While I liked both characters I felt like Zander was a little too perfect. With Imani we got to see her imprecations but not for Zander. Obviously it’s not a bad thing but it doesn’t feel realistic to me. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would definitely recommend it for a quick romance read.

All Fired Up was overall a cute romance. I had a hard time getting into the book at first but as I got further into the book my interest increased. I did not realize that there was a book prior to this one so that was a bit confusing at first. The characters captured my attention enough that I plan to read the previous book soon! Overall I enjoyed the story and thought it was a easy read.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

All Fired Up is the next book in the Matthews’ Brothers series. Imani is headed back to upstate NY to help take care of her grandmother for the summer. She is best friends with Kate, our leading lady from How Sweet It Is. On the night of Kate and Drake’s wedding, Imani and Zander (Drake’s brother) have a romp which continues for the next 48 hours. Now reunited a year later- will Imani and Zander be able to deny their chemistry for the entire summer?
What I Loved:
Imani’s grandma GiGi. Truth be told- I would read an entire book just about her and her friends playing cards and being ridiculously inappropriate. There were so many moments where I was full on laughing. Her dirty mouthed bird was truly just the icing on the cake!
Mental health discussion- many of the characters are dealing with some big issues causing their mental health to be a concern. The author continually deals with these conversations with care.
Zander. The growth he has throughout the story is amazing and honestly- he’s just a really great person.
What didn’t quite work:
I don’t have any negative feedback here! This was a great romance with depth, which also made me laugh repeatedly. The steam wasn’t super intense which seemed appropriate with the rest of the story. I highly recommend this book to everyone and for my mood readers- this is the perfect spring/summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. It wasn't until about halfway through that it occurred to me this should have been marked as book #2! All of the same characters appear, although the story focuses on Imani and Zander and what a charming story it is. (You don't have to read the first installment to follow this story.) I enjoyed Zander pursuing Imani and Imani trying to decipher her thoughts and feelings towards him. The anticipation was building and so was my faith in them. I really loved Imani's grandmother's character and the quick-witted one liners she throws out.

I absolutely adored this book. It had the same type of humor and feel-good moments as the first book in the series (which I also loved). I appreciated the depth of each of the main characters and how they could relate in their shared traumas. Zander was an awesome hero. I loved his persistence in pursuing Imani but also his vulnerability in changing and growing. But I loved the light-hearted and funny moments, too! Also, now I really want to go on a real hot air balloon ride. IYKYK

This was dual POV with wacky side characters (like Imani’s grandma and her parrot), small-town charm, a stubborn type-A heroine, and a live-in-the-moment hero. Even though we missed out on Zander and Imani’s initial weekend together, their growing attraction and chemistry was totally believable and understandable because they complemented and challenged one another so well. If you enjoyed Kate and Drake’s story, you’ll love this one too. And I really cannot wait for Ryker’s story next year!

All Fired Up is one of my anticipated summer reads. I was excited to receive an ARC because I enjoyed How Sweet It Is last year and I needed to know what happened with Ryker and Imani. We last left them in How Sweet It Is with Imani telling Kate that she was going to see how well Ryker’s dance moves were. All Fired Up starts with us finding out what happened between them at the wedding when Imani returns to Wellsville for the summer.

Sparks fly between them even though Imani wants to stay friends while Ryker wants to find out if there is more between them. There was so much more to these two than the carefree guy and the always prepared girl. Dylan Newton did a good job exploring what makes them both who they are and what they need to work on in order to be together.

All Fired Up can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading How Sweet It Is first. We get to revisit the characters from that book and catch up with Kate and Drake.

I recommend this book if you enjoy:

🎈 Opposites attract
🎈 Guy falls first
🎈 Dual POV

All Fired Up is out on May 17. Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a first time read for me by this author and I can say with certainty it will not be my last! After reading this I realized it is the second book in a series, so I guarantee I will be going back for the first one for Kate and Drakes's story. This book is Zander and Imani's story. They had such a great dynamic and complimented each other so well.
The chemistry between them was just so obvious and had just the right amount of spark and sizzle. After their one-night stand months ago, they run into each other again when Imani comes to town to care for her grandmother. Zander hasn't forgotten about her and still carries a torch for her and is determined to make her see they can have a real relationship. This was a light-hearted, second chance love story that just melted my heart. I absolutely loved these two together and the way Zander was so caring with Imani. If you haven't read this book yet, it should definitely be on your TBR list. Wonderful characters and an engaging storyline will keep you captivated till the end. This is a lovely story and I'm happy to recommend!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I may be a little bit partial to this series because of the setting, as I myself love a walk by the David A. Howe public library and a delicious Texas Hot, but this book was a joy to read. Back in Wellsville for the summer, Imani is there to support her best friend who is about to give birth, as well as assist her beloved grandmother who is having knee surgery. Her life is a rollercoaster from the moment she arrives and finds herself face to face with her one(two) night stand from Kate's wedding, Zander Matthews. Zander hasn't been able to stop thinking about Imani since she ghosted him and his goal is to show her how much he cares while she is back in town. Full of small town nostalgia and some sizzling romance, Dylan Newton has written a fun, romantic read, while also dealing with the issues of loss, anxiety and self-confidence. I can't wait to see what happens with her next book on the middle Matthews brother! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Last summer, I read How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton and I absolutely loved it. I was especially thrilled when I found out this was going to be a series featuring each of the Matthew Brothers!

All Fired Up is the second book in the series and follows Zander, the 3rd Matthews brother. We pick up where the first one left off, but we follow Imani who is spending the summer in Wellsville helping her grandmother recover from knee surgery. We find out early on that Zander and Imani hooked up after Drake and Kate’s wedding. But Imani ghosted Zander after and they haven’t really spoken since. But as soon as they see each other, they can tell the spark is still there.

I just love this series. The characters are all so genuine, but not without their flaws. I love that Imani taught Zander how to grow up without losing his laidback personality. Imani needed to let go control a little and Zander (and her grandma!) both help her loosen up. Zander owns a pottery studio called All Fired Up and I love that Zander shows his passion with Imani when helping make the tiles for her Grandma’s house. The Hot Air Balloon scene is also soooo swoon worthy!!

Thank you so much to @authordylannewton, @readforeverpub and @bookmom22 for my turn with the #allfireduptravelingARC! All Fired Up is out May 17!

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this rom com! A friends to lovers trope that is delightfully quirky and fun. Imani and Zander had a one night stand and after successfully ghosting him, Imani is back in the picture since her best friend is married and pregnant with Zander’s brother, Drake. Zander is determined to see if there is a real, true spark between him and Imani because he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her since their amazing one night together. I really enjoyed this story and learning all about Zander and Imani’s past and the heartbreaking things that make them who they are, and how they use those past struggles to help heal and support each other. I was totally rooting for them the entire book and I would definitely recommend this book to romance lovers!

I adored Dylan Newton’s book, How Sweet it Is, and this one was just as good! Imani Lewis had a one weekend stand at her best friend Kate’s wedding with the groom’s brother Zander. But, ultimately, she ghosts him. Now she is back in town and taking care of her grandmother Gigi who is having surgery. Zander isn’t quite ready to leave that weekend in the past and wants to see if there is something there.

Dylan has written a fun second chance romance. I loved Zander immediately. He was such a good guy and I loved how open he was about his feelings. I especially liked how he kept Imani off balance and their back and forth banter. Zander is a free spirit and lives in the moment. We met Imani in the previous book, but now get her full back story. Imani is struggling with survivors guilt and it shows in her personality. She is a type A who needs a plan, is always prepared, and puts her needs last. These two make such a great couple because they help each other be more balanced.

The book is really a complete package. There are quirky and fun side characters like Gigi, as well as Zander and Drake’s brooding brother Ryker, whose story I can’t wait to read. The book is full of family being supportive and positive friendships. The author includes an important moment where Imani talks about being in therapy. I especially liked how Imani and Zander communicated through out the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the arc. This is my honest review.