I think this book is better than the first one in the series. Wildfire is a mix of a forbidden romance, rich girl poor boy romance, and a sports romance. Russ and Rory are two of my favorite book characters because of how opposite but right they are for each other. You take this closed off, broody, golden retriever vibes guy, and stick him with an outgoing, spunky and charismatic girl who both have similar problems but hide them in different ways. Even though they meet at college, Russ and Rory reconnect when they are both summer camp counselors at the same camp. Rory went to the camp growing up so she is very comfortable in the environment and it feels like her home. Russ is a brand new counselor who is just trying to get through the summer. The only problem is, it is against camp rules for counselors to fool around with one another. So the whole summer, Russ and Rory are trying to not get caught. This adds an excitement factor to the story. I like the connection that the characters have and how their problems are always because of miscommunication. I would recommend this book to anyone who like a lot of banter between characters.

Wildfire is the second in the Maple Hills series by Hannah Grace. It loosely references the characters from the first book, but the fact that you don’t have to have read Icebreaker (#1 in the series), is a tremendous plus. There is little to not fall in love with in this story.

Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts have what appears to be a one night stand, at Russ’ hockey house. Aurora sneaks out while Russ is in the bathroom, with the assumption that his intention was to hide long enough for her to escape. When the two find themselves as counselors for the same age group at a sleepaway camp for the summer, they try to keep their feelings at bay. What unfolds is a slow love story that is completely relatable as a summer romance. Both characters gradually open up about their troubled past and familial issues.

Grace paints a picture of a sleepaway camp experience that is completely unlike one I have read before, where boys and girls seem to share bunks with a rotation of counselors sleeping in the shared space. The setting is just a background, though, as the story between Russ and Aurora is woven. It made me yearn for my camp days and the feeling of safety in a home away from home.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Grace's follow up to Icebreaker.

While Wildfire doesn't really take place in Maple Hills, it does follow Russ and Aurora. I enjoyed that Wildfire took place at a summer camp, Honey Acres, this isn't a setting that I've encountered often.

I loved that both Aurora and Russ appear pretty smitten with each other early on, and that they both work through their family issues together. There is no third act breakup in this book, which I also appreciate. If you're looking for spice, I'd say this book is nowhere near as spicy as Icebreaker, but that's just my opinion. Lastly, I really loved the epilogue on this one and how it gives the reader a solid ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Wildfire was such a cute novel. The characters were intense and hard to not love. This book started out feeling like it was just another book written like all the others, but as the plot developed it seemed like it gained steam in its own direction. I spent all my free moments reading this to see what happens next and I just couldn’t put it down. The steamy scenes didn’t go over the top but developed the characters and didn’t distract from the plot. Now I’m wondering what else this new-to-me author has written.

Wildfire is a wonderful summer romance. The book has some great tropes like found family, forced proximity and forbidden romance. The setting of the summer camp is great. I love the main characters, who had so much chemistry, as well as the side characters. Just like the first book, Icebreaker, in this interconnected series, it has a great number of steamy scenes. I also really liked the epilogue.

I was so stoked when I got approved for this ARC!
I read Icebreaker just before this so I could really dive into the world of Maple Hills.

Having enjoyed its predecessor, I had really high expectations for Wildfire. Sadly, It didn’t really live up to that hype.

Russ & Aurora’s story was still very cute and entertaining, but I just enjoyed Icebreaker more.
I found Aurora to be a little whiny and annoying in some parts, and I was always looking forward to reading Russ’ chapters.

It’s no secret that Hannah Grace has a serious talent for writing romance. I throughly enjoy her witty and realistic characters and I especially loved the campy summer backdrop of this novel. I just didn’t really enjoy our main characters like I did when I read Icebreaker.

Wildfire feels incredibly rushed in some aspects and then also very slow in others. I found myself wanting to know a little more about certain situations. The story takes place over the span of an entire summer but feels like it’s only a couple weeks. It jumps around a little quick and i think that kind of misses its opportunity to build a little more tension and make for a more satisfying romantic story.

That said, I still enjoyed this book and I especially loved having some familiar characters from Icebreaker make cameos.

All in all. I think Hannah Grace is a really fun writer and I am eagerly looking forward to what more she has in store for us in the Maple Hills universe.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Atria Books for allowing me early access in return for my review :)

This book is so great and I absolutely adored Russ and Aurora. 10/10 no notes. Please read it. And yes I'm biased but I'm also right!

Thank you to Atria Books for this digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For once, the TikTok sensation got it right when the algorithm brought me to Icebreaker. I', so glad I found my way back to this second installment.

I read Icebreaker before this and loved it. I was kind of hoping the sequel would be Henry's story but I'm not mad about Russ getting the spotlight. I honestly love the characters Hannah brings to life. She has such a gift of giving us these lovable characters with depth. I love the found family she creates and it makes me feel like I would want to be friends with these fictional people! But the friendships she creates feels so genuine.

Russ and Rory seem like they were meant for each other. We get to watch them both process their dysfunctional families and their insecurities and learn to confide in each other and support one another through it. I enjoyed watching their growth.

I hope Hannah continues this series! I'm waiting for Henry to get his moment in the spotlight!

🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️

I absolutely LOVED this book. In my Icebreaker review I mentioned that I’m not a huge smut just for there to be smut but this book definitely has some spicy scenes but they make sense.
 
After having a one night stand Russ and Aurora (Rory) end up being coaches at Honey Acres Summer Camp and end up in the same counselor group. The chemistry between the two is undeniable but of course Honey Acres has a no fraternization policy. Now they’re forced to navigate the awkwardness of how to move forward.
Things I loved:
Russ + Aurora’s chemistry/connection
Forced Proximity
Summer Vibes
The fact that Hannah Grace is NOT afraid to include tough topics such as TW: addiction, alcoholism, father issues, other family issues.
 
Things I didn’t enjoy:
There def was some filler portions that could have been left out.
I missed the conversations/group texts from the Puck Bunnies
 
Overall, highly recommend.

Spice: 4 🌶️
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

THIS. WAS. SO. CUTE! Full disclaimer, I've never read Hannah Grace before. I'm #77 in line for Icebreakers at the library, so I thought I'd jump on this ARC while I could. Holy heck was I glad I did. This book was so stinkin cute and the spice was on point (it helps that they were already getting into it by chapter 5).

Sweet and spice aside, the character development on this was adorable. I was 10000% routing for Rory and Russ, and their tension was so well done. While they had issues together, they also had their own that as their relationship grew they would open up more.

My only issue with the story of this book, is that the tail end was about 4 chapters too long. It could have ended nicely, but I felt like the last few chapters kinda ruined the momentum - sure they tied up loose ends, but it got very serious and a little depressing. The epilogue was perfect though, so that kinda made up for it.

Another thing I will post here, but not in socials reviews: please please please do a thorough read through before publishing. There were MANY cases of the wrong their/there/they're, woman/women, your/you're. Obviously I know this is an ARC and minor issues like this are to be expected, but at times this took away a little from events as it stuck out.

Thank you so much for the ARC - a new favourite I think!

This was such a fun, perfect end of Summer read. Aurora and Russ are adorable and both dealing with fathers who leave much to be desired. They spend a summer working as camp counselors and try to stay apart, but obviously that doesn't work. I enjoyed seeing glimpses of the characters from Icebreaker and I think I honestly liked this one more than Icebreaker. The plot seemed more plausible, the characters were flawed, yet approachable, and the romance was so cute (and spicy). I enjoyed this one and will definitely keep up with this series.

I LOVED THIS! I devoured this book in one single day - it was that amazing. I loved Icebreaker and the second novel in the series did not disappoint.

I was thrown off a bit with chapter one. There were too many references to characters and relationships I didn't remember from the first book. So I was a little worried after the first chapter. But from the second chapter on, it was pure beauty and bliss.

Rory and Russ were totally relatable characters, and the side characters (PLEASE GIVE US A BOOK WITH XANDER!!!!!!!) were just so lovely. It made me want to go to summer camp and be a camp counselor and live a beautiful love story like these two.

Gosh darnit Hannah Grace - please don't ever stop writing these books!!

I’ve been waiting for Russ’ book since I read Icebreaker! There’s something about a quiet man that’s seen some shit that I’m just drawn to, ya know?

This is a college romance and they’re on summer break working at a summer camp after a hook up at a party. We love forced proximity! And get this- there’s a no fraternization rule at the summer camp. 🤫

Hannah Grace you know how to write the most wonderful characters who are real and raw. This book made me laugh and made me feel all the feels!!

Spice: 3 🌶️
Rating: 4 ⭐️

3.5 star⭐️

Wildfire is Hannah Grace’s sequel in the Maple Hills series that brings back familiar loveable characters and introduces readers to a slew of new ones all set over a scorching hot summer. Aurora and Russ, both reserved in their own ways, meet and instantly hit it off. They’re both distraught when they assume that one night was a temporary blip but are conflicted when they realize they’ll be working together as camp counsellors with a strict ‘no-fraternization’ rule they’re adamant on following. But breaking the rules with someone that sees past their outer shell (and yet doesn’t run for the hills) is just too tempting.

With Icebreaker being an instant favourite, the anticipation was very high for the sequel and it was definitely a fun read with characters that had instant chemistry and a connection that clearly went deeper than just tangible attraction. It did at times feel like there was a heavier focus on their respective strained family relationships rather than the deeper connection between Aurora and Russ, and for this reason it wasn’t entirely what I was expecting. It was definitely immersive and the summer camp setting was easy to get into, but I feel like their decision to abide by the rules could’ve been drawn out a bit more with a few more almost-moments so it would be more of a slow burn relationship arc. I loved that, similarly to Icebreaker, there was amazing communication between Aurora and Russ and even though there was a hint of a third act breakup it was short-lived and its resolution felt very in character for them both. While the epilogue did feel very rushed, where it fast-forwarded a little further than I was expecting, the overall story was a very sweet & spicy summer romance that left me excited to continue this refreshing series.


Thank you to NetGalley, AtriaBooks, and Hannah Grace for this ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was so surprised with how much I enjoyed Icebreaker, that I had to read this book too. I’m so happy I did!

Forbidden romance, some miss communication, some self deprivation. Many issues for our MMC and FMC to work through.

While I did fins this dragged a bit, it was worth it. A bit part of that is that I am just impatient and get annoyed at people who don’t communicate. 😅

I don’t want to go into to much detail because I don’t want to spoil it.

I did like the change of scenery. Having this take place mostly at a camp was fun and different which made the story feel less repetitive.

Over all a decent read

Hannah Grace has created an incredible set of characters that are just so lovable in the Maple Hills series that continue into Wildfire. You quickly become invested and want to know more. This title could be read as a standalone, but you'd be missing out on some fun backstory that you're going to want to know about! Russ and Rory have a one night stand and a miscommunication right before the end of term and then are camp counselors at the same summer camp! It's cute and cheesy all in the best ways. Their chemistry is amazing and their vulnerability is refreshingly authentic. These characters are able to grow and seek healing in their lives outside of camp through their growth and maturity at camp. You are going to want to pick this book up and read it as soon as possible. It should definitely jump the line on your TBR pile! Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC.

Great read! After reading Icebreaker I became obsessed with Hannah Grace’s writing. Wildfire did not disappoint! Russ is such a dream, Hannah really knows how to write a man we all fall for head over heels.

I really loved Icebreaker, so I was excited to give book 2 a read. I just... couldn't really get into this one. Maybe it was the closed camp setting, or the lack of background refresh (it's been a while and a lot of other characters since I read book 1 and don't remember who everyone is) but I had a hard time getting invested. Russ is adorable and the definition of golden retriever boyfriend, and Rory is sweet with understandable daddy issues. There just wasn't enough going on for them to be kept apart the way they were. I understand 10 weeks is a long time to hide your feelings, but you are technically adults. Just make plans for when you're back at school? And then when the thing they were avoiding all summer did happen, there were no consequences. Anyway, it was cute and I love praise. So. There's that.

loved how cute these two are! loved all the dogs and rescue animals mentioned in the epilogue! i cannot wait to read what's next for the Maple Hills crew (especially Henry's story and how JJ and Alex met)

Thanks to receiving and ARC of this book, I was able to read prior to release date.

I need to re-read Icebreaker, but I think it’s safe to say I enjoyed this book even more. It was happy, had low-stakes drama that didn’t stress me out, the spice was nice and flowed natural with the rest of the story.

I loved that she wrote Russ as an emotional character. I feel men in romcom stories are so rigid and “tough”, and it was refreshing to read his perspective and see how much of a feeler he was.

I often get bored with self-destructive women characters because I feel it’s a bit overdone, like a woman can’t be disruptive without it being to get the attention of a father or any other man in her life, however I was willing to push off that opinion and was able to still connect with Rory.

I do wish that the extensive time they spent at camp was felt through the story, rather than just described. I often forgot that a month or more had passed from them meeting, and I would find myself shocked by the love-bombing, thinking they had only met days prior.

That being said, it really was enjoyable and I will likely re-read both in this series as the next comes out.