I absolutely adored this book!!! I hadn't read the first one yet but own it and it is defiantly going to this top of my tbr!!!! I felt Zander and Imani were the perfect counter balance to each other!!! I couldn't get over their chemistry and steaminess (is that a word?). I also loved the layers to Zander as a main character. He was so laid back but misunderstood, the best combo in my mind. I cant wait for the next book because I am a simp for a set of grumpy hilarious brothers.

All Fired Up by Dylan Newton is absolutely adorable and I can't believe this is the first time I'm reading this author! Unfortunately, I didn't realize this was book 2 of a series, but I don't think it spoils anything since How Sweet It Is is Kate and Drake's story. You always know what is going to happen when you read a rom-com, much like watching a Hallmark Christmas movie, so I’m not worried about going back to that one now. This really was the sweetest story and I loved both Imani and Zander as well as all of the supporting cast. The talking African gray parrot was a nice touch and I loved the comedic elements having him around provided. This book wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be, but it definitely had its moments and I think the humor it DID have was in just the right places. There are a couple of moments towards the end that I had tears in my eyes, but thankfully it isn’t a sad book at its core. There is a little bit of steam which I wouldn’t really expect in a rom-com, but it wasn’t anything too crazy and fit with the rest of the story.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Imani and Zander and not only was their relationship well captured but there are so many other relationships in the book that were really touching and charming. I especially loved the small-town feel of the story and Imani’s grandma Gigi will be the apple of every reader’s eye. And the fact that All Fired Up is a bookish book since Zander’s brother Drake is an author and Imani is a book publicist just made my heart happy. I listened to the audiobook, and I thought it was really good in this format, although there were a couple of issues when I listened to Emma Love narrate Imani. While I loved her voice and thought her performance overall was really good, something about her narration was a little off for me and I did hear some swallowing which I never enjoy. On the other hand, I really loved Max Lloyd-Jones for Zander so in general, I would definitely still recommend the audio. They were both pretty funny when it came to Lancelot’s (the parrot) parts, and it made me laugh so hard when they would narrate his speaking. If you are a fan of contemporary, small-town romances with some spice you should give All Fired Up a chance for sure.

Imani and Zander's story is a second chance romance where he fell first. They hooked up at a wedding before Imani left and didn't return for a year - but Zander never forgot about their night together. Imani is back in town because her grandmother needs surgery and Zander is determined to change her mind about giving him a chance. This story has mental health themes, growth and development, and the lengths people will go to for family.

Imani pushes back hard against Zander for a good portion of this book, really she gives it a strong effort. But they are very adorable as a couple and they both go through a very different journey in this book to get to their happy ever after.

The background characters really stole the show, like Imani's grandmother and the parrot. The hijinks that parrot caused was laugh out loud funny. I have to say I am even more excited for Ryker's book, I think it will end up being my favorite because he is really interesting to me as a character. To prepare you get more scenes with him in this book than in How Sweet It Is to set up the story line.

**Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

I really enjoyed How Sweet It Is, so I was delighted to receive a copy of All Fired Up by Dylan Newton. This opposites attract romance is a sweet read, and I'll look forward to reading more from Newton.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

When Imani takes a break from her job to care for her grandmother after surgery, she’s thrown right back into seeing Zander - their brief fling at Kate and Drake’s wedding aside, she knows that they won’t work together long term. Zander’s carefree attitude and lack of structure wouldn’t work for her, and her stay is temporary. But as the two spend more time together, the lines between what she thinks and what she wants start to blur.

This was such a sweet book. I loved the care that each character gave to each other, and how the trauma of losing a parent and of being a Marine and having your brother be injured in duty continues to inform their actions and influence their paths in different ways. While the two share the loss of a parent and caring for a relative, Imani’s instinct turned to forever planning, while Zander took it to mean that nothing is guaranteed, so going with the flow is ideal.

Their affection for each other was so apparent, and I swear, the Matthews boys are stellar at romantic gestures involving being in the air 😂 The ending was incredibly sweet, and I loved that each character was able to include what they are passionate about in their lives going forwards.

Praying for a Ryker instalment ASAP because a disabled hero with trauma after serving in the Marines is bound to be one of the best reads of the series!

If you are looking for a cute rom-com, this book is for you. It’s an opposites attract troupe that will have you smiling as the characters try to resist each other. A fun relaxing book!

3.5 rounded up to 4

The cover art had me hooked as I always wanted to take a ride in a hot air balloon or see the hot air balloon fiesta in New Mexico. I certainly could relate to recovering from knee surgery (that hit a little too close to home). Zander is my fav. How could he not be? Imani and Zander together made a great couple even as she tried to deny her attraction to him. Overall it was an enjoyable story. Now I need to go back and read How Sweet It Is.

There is just something sweet about small town romance books that I love, unfortunately this one didn't really do it for me. I want to mention that this book is actually book two of a trilogy which isn't mentioned at all so unless you google it you probably would not know. I did not read the first one but this one is basically a stand alone but if you liked the other book then you will be in for a happy surprise in this one.
In this story though we meet Imani, a full on workaholic and Zander, the irresponsible funny guy. Personally this was one of the things that bother me the most, I don't want to give spoilers but lets just say that their definition of irresponsible does not match Zander at all. On the other hand Imani is the definition of a workaholic, she also has her own issues but the biggest one is that she seems okay with using Zander for any help she needs while thinking badly of him. That I didn't really understand, Zander was successful in his own way, but everyone, including his mom, was against his way of living.
I also was not able to fall in love with the characters, with romance I think that we should all be rooting for the couple to get together and hope for that happily ever after, in this case I was not able to get invested at all. There was something missing in the relationship and I also didn't understand why he had been thinking about her all those months after a one night stand when I didn't get the feeling that she was also thinking about him.
The book was easy to follow and I read it fairly quickly but there was something missing.
I'm not sure if I will continue with the story.

Just a really cute little love story.Low spicesweet and cute couple. Thanks to Forever for the arc for my honest review.

A sweet, funny and romantic story. Reminded me of Abby Jimenez's books and that's definitely a good thing! Still swooning over their first date. You'll have to read it to see what I mean!

What a cute rom-com! This was my first by Dylan Newton and I can't wait to see what is next. Thank you @Netgalley and @foreverpublishing for the advanced copy.

I was absolutely in love with the first book in this series which made me really excited to read this one...but I just couldn't get into it. I don't know if it was the characters or the fact that it was kind of a second chance romance, but it just didn't work for me. I still love the author though and can't wait to see what she publishes next.

This was a fun read! The cover was what initially drew me in! I really liked the side characters! I loved Imani’s grandmother. Her scenes brought a lot of humor into the story which I loved. I loved Imani’s friendship with Kate and I’m interested in checking out her book. Imani did get on my nerves during a few parts. While some parts of her backstory made it more understandable, there were a few moments when I felt like she was too harsh to Zander.

Overall, I enjoyed this book however it wasn’t a standout romance for me. It's a 3.75 for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Dylan Newton’s, How Sweet It Is, and the continuation, All Fired Up, is just as sweet. It can easily be read as a standalone.

I love the writing style and witty banter between Imari and Zander and the other characters.

All Fired Up is a solid contemporary romance that touches on mental health and grief while the overall feel is sweet and lighthearted.

I adored the relationship and character development between Imari and Zander. It was the perfect steamy, opposites attract romance.

So excited for Ryker’s story!

I enjoyed How Sweet It Is so I was excited that Dylan Newton released All Fired Up which features Imani (Kate’s best friend/Drake’s publicist) and Zander (Drake’s youngest brother). This romance book contains a second chance romance and dives into mental health, small town life, and joy. All Fired Up is the second book in the series and can be read as a stand alone, however, there is crossover from How Sweet It Is. The cameo appearances from Kate and Drake are fun and love that we get to see their life progressing. The dual POVs and dual audiobook narrations keeps the storyline interesting and love how distinct their perspectives are. The author did a great job building relationship between Imani and Zander. I also adored the secondary characters and how they contributed to the storyline. I can’t wait for Ryder’s book next year!

Imani needs to take some time away from her demanding job and care for her grandmother, or so she thought.

Her grandmother has planned and plotted to get her to take some time for herself and realize she's working herself to the bone.

Imani has met Zander, who's care free and everything that Imani is not.

He's a business owner and sort of successful but it's because of the help of others. Imani wants him to see he can be so much more, and after a talk with his mom, he realizes that she's right.

After going up in a hot air balloon with a landing in a field and no one to help them, their relationship takes 2 turns, one in the right direction and one in the wrong direction - will they be able to repair this?

I absolutely loved the parrot! It was by far my favorite part of the book!!

I just reviewed All Fired Up by Dylan Newton. #AllFiredUp #NetGalley

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for my review.

similar to booked on a feeling by jayci lee, telling of a female character at the top of her career, but facing both burnout and questioning herself on whether it's the path she truly wishes to take, a trip back home to comforts not afforded in their regular life, is just the start of a journey ahead.

the premise is a simple one, where imani returns home to care for her grandmother while questioning her end goal with the career she currently holds. it's upon her return that she gets reacquainted with zander, a one night stand that also happens to be her best friend's brother in law. cue awkwardness ahead.

i found myself enjoying many of the side characters, especially imani's grandmother, who reminded me so much of the headstrong one i once had and lost last year. i could understand imani's struggle to prevent her grandmother from getting in over her head with an upcoming surgery, while her grandmother only seems to care that her granddaughter has a relaxing stay. those who have a very stubborn, headstrong grandparents knows that struggle all too well.

it's during this time that she grows close to zander again, a man who has been unable to get imani out of his mind since that night. he intends to shower her that he's a good match for her, despite knowing the possibility of her leaving back home after her grandmother heals. while he's more the type to fly off the seat of his pants than to make any lasting arrangements, it's part of his charm.

a charm that i found being disregarded, and then outright insulted towards the end of the book. the man who has given a helping hand, has garnered so many friendships and bonds through ptsd from his duty and time spent overseas, watching friends and colleagues forever changed by war— was verbally kicked in a way that was hard to comprehend.

then, learning that his family has the same viewpoint of him, zander undertakes being a more "responsible" version of himself. and while i'm all for growth, i do think there was a better way of approaching the subject with him, especially if you're his family and someone who loves him. it just felt like he was kicked in the back of the knee cap, then rolled over by a car thereafter.

even though resolution comes, it was at this point in the book that i really felt myself not enjoying it the journey, but had already come so far that pushing aside was no longer an option. between how often people indicated how great zander was, and yet made jokes at his expense, i had more connection with imani's grandmother and her hilarious bird than with the happy ending that was set to come between zander and imani.

Another big hit from Dylan Newton. This has a swearing parrot, one night stand to more, hero falls first, free spirit hero, cinnamon roll hero, book publicist heroine, ceramic studio, small town. The hero does so many things for the heroine that make you completely fall in love with them. I can't wait for the next release! (check TW for death, grief, panic attack etc.)

Big Dyan Newton fan here! I really enjoyed HOW SWEET IT IS, so when I was approved for ALL FIRED UP, I was ecstatic!

I think I loved this even more than the first book - just due to the depths of the characters, their flaws, and ultimately how they bettered themselves to be together. Newton is a fantastic writer - the romance is realistic, but not cheesy; you learn to care about the characters; and all the side characters really add to the story, rather than just being plot-forwarders.

Overall, i will continue to read Newton's books and home they write more in this universe...maybe the third brother?