Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Fake Flame by Adele Buck!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.

Spicy sweet romance and I real page turner.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

4/5

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. From the witty banter and the heat these two characters kept me entertained. And who doesn't love a good fake dating troupe. Highly recommend!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Eva and Sean. Eva is a college professor. Sean is firefighter. Sean unit is sent to the college Eva works at. Eva’s ex boyfriend is trying to get Eva back after they broke up. That’s why Eva has a lighter and Bug spray, she doesn’t want him. Sean suggests days later to let him be her fake boyfriend. Eva takes him up on it. They start dating. They change it from fake to real. They fall in love.

When professor Eva Campbell’s ex tries to pull off a grand gesture to win her back that doesn’t go exactly as planned, the fire department is called to the college where Eva ends up talking to fireman Sean Hannigan. He may be younger than Eva, but Sean seems to know how to treat a woman better than her ex. When Sean suggests pretending to be her boyfriend to help get rid of her ex once and for all Eva agrees. As the two spend time together lines become blurred. Can Eva and Sean get past not only their age difference but their opposite upbringings and familial expectations as well?

This wasn’t a bad romance, but it fell a little flat for me. And the resolution at the end I’m not sure I completely bought.

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 3rd person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: assault, bullying, Catholic guilt, cheating, classism, homophobia, house fire with missing child (non-fatal), mentions of fire firefighter jobs (car accidents, fires, etc. non-descriptive), manipulation, misogyny, work injury
Kinky Content: blindfolds, finger licking good, fingering, oral, orgasm denial, queening
standalone: book 1 of The First Responders series
final thoughts: this starts with a meet-cute between a book-loving professor and a cinnamon roll golden retriever firefighter who can’t stop thinking about each other. There were funny antics, sweet gestures, spicy scenes, and great side characters.
I loved seeing their relationship evolve with the fake dating and the age differences. Sean was such a sweet MMC and was a communication king which I loved! He kept pushing Eva to communicate, stand up for herself, and accept love into her life.
I’m excited to read the rest of this series!

read this book if you love
🔢 age gap (41f/36m)
🍪 cinnamon roll MMC
💏 fake dating
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 found family
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
🐕 golden retriever MMC
👦 he falls first and hard
🩹 hurt/comfort
🌈 LGBT+ representation (side characters)
👨‍🚒 men in uniform (firefighter)
💞 mutual pining
🔀 opposites attract
😜 possessive MMC
🧑‍🏫 teacher
🌍 world building

this book helped me discover that I don't mind hunky dudes as long as they're also aware of their privilege and careful how they woo their romantic interests, even if they briefly slip up and start a fake romance before they even technically finish asking their love interest if they're game for it.

I usually don't prefer to read books with age-gap characters, but I loved this book so much. The chemistry between Eva and Sean was incredibly intense and authentic. Eva's reaction to her ex's cheating was truly unforgettable. It struck a chord with me, evoking both amusement and empathy. Having experienced being cheated on before, I can truly understand the emotions of Eva's character. When a woman is scorned, her emotions can overwhelm her, making it difficult for her to think clearly. I adored how MMC Sean took the initiative to help Eva get rid of her ex-boyfriend. I absolutely adored that Sean was caring, sensitive, and a book lover. There's just something about a guy who loves books, right? And he's a firefighter, too? I mean, come on, what's not to love? I adore this book's combination of fake dating and forced proximity tropes. It's a truly satisfying read, and I highly recommend it.


Love Always, Catherine

Thank you, Harlequin Romance and NetGalley, for my gifted copy.

This book was interesting! I really enjoyed that the conflict was a true thing that happens to a lot of couples in this phase of life. I wasn’t entirely on board for a man who knew he was being a caveman and shouldn’t but did it anyways. Overall, this is a cute story with a fun couple but I wish it had a few changes.

3 Stars

This one started out with a bang and really sucked me in. An infuriating ex trying to make a grand gesture at your place of work and it being the last straw so you snap and almost blow torch the gesture into next week causing the hot firefighters to be called in? TALK ABOUT A GREAT MEET CUTE! It kind of fizzled for me from there. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't keep me sucked in once the fake dating started, and normally fake dating is a trope I cannot resist!

Eva is a tenured professor and just wants her ex to leave her the eff alone. Sean is the hot firefighter that comes to put out the blaze she almost started, and being the giant cinnamon roll that he is, he proposes a fate dating scheme to keep the ex out of her life. They quickly catch feelings but OMG she is 6 years older than him. This is a reverse age gap romance, but I will say that she is 41 and he I 35? So like, it really felt like a non-issue or even an age gap if I'm being honest. Which, either way you want to slice it, it could be a good thing that it's a non-issue (normalize this people).

The biggest conflict does come from the practicality of the heroine's age (<spoiler>she doesn't want kids and he isn't sure if he actually does or doesn't</spoiler>). It is a valid concern and honestly one I've witnessed a lot of relationships IRL break down over, so I did appreciate how the author handled the conflict. It just came on a little too late in the story for it to really feel right for me. Also, the ex felt like more of a potential plot conflict for me. I literally was waiting for the scum bag to do something more drastic even up until the end. It's almost as if the author was torn in two potential directions for the story and didn't commit to either wholeheartedly.

Overall, this was a quick read and one that was swoony and funny and spicy at times, it just didn't fully hold my attention.

Synopsis:

Literature professor Eva Campbell is about to set a piano on fire after her ex, in making a grand gesture, brings a baby grand on campus to serenade her until young, hot, firefighter Sean Hannigan talks her down. When her ex’s shenanigans start to border on stalking, Sean offers to be her fake bf. Eva’s not sure she’s ready for the danger he poses to her jaded heart. Given their differences, a relationship can’t last, right? But the line between fake and real keeps blurring, daring her to take the biggest risk of all…

Review:

I enjoyed this book so much! Seeing an older FMC, especially one in a relationship with a younger man was so refreshing. Their differences and issues seemed so realistic and relatable. Plus HELLO firefighter 🧑‍🚒 who doesn’t enjoy a person in uniform? 🔥 🔥 🔥 Their chemistry was palpable and I loved Eva’s sweet dog Timmy. I enjoyed all the characters, except the creepy ex and loved that their romance started around romance book recommendations 📚

I enjoyed this one. As a fan of firefighter shows I was thrilled to see a rom com with a firefighter in it. Who’s a bit on the nerdy side. I also loved that the heroine’s a professor and it’s a reverse age gap in which the heroine is the older one. And I have to say that the meet cute was perfect for this book. Cause I mean hey it’s one way to meet a firefighter.

Although this book was fairly well written, I could not connect with the characters. It was a cute quick read but I couldn’t find a real connection with the characters.

I love a good reverse age gape mixed with fake dating but this just missed the mark for me.

Eva is an English professor who recently broke up with her cheating boyfriend. But he won't take a hint and keeps tormenting her with 'grand gestures' that aren't really for her but mainly to showcase what he thinks an apology should be. After a particularly huge one involving a piano on the quad where she works Eva decides enough is enough. Sean a fire responder is called to the scene and finds himself bonding with Eva over books. He also finds himself concerned for her well-being and a fake dating scheme just like in the books they read starts to become the best option Eva might have to finally ditch her Ex.
I loved seeing the whole fake dating romance trope from books be a focus of a romance book. It was fun

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun book. I have read a lot of books with the fake dating trope and this ended up being one my favorites!

'Fake Flame' by Adele Buck, a novel that stands out with its unique blend of humour, romance, and literary charm, offers a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre. The unconventional pairing of a bookish firefighter and a feminist English professor for a fake dating scheme not only piques curiosity but also sets the stage for an intriguing narrative. However, the execution of this promising concept falls short of its potential, leaving a sense of unfulfilled anticipation.

The novel starts with an amusing and dramatic scene where literature professor Eva Campbell, fed up with her manipulative ex, nearly sets a baby grand piano on fire. Enter Sean Hannigan, the dashing young firefighter who saves the day by preventing a fire and offering to pose as Eva's boyfriend to ward off her persistent ex. This setup is ripe with potential for both comedic and romantic moments.

Sean Hannigan is a character with a lot of initial appeal. He's not only a firefighter who faces literal flames but also a charming man who reads romance novels and has a heart of gold. This initial promise of his character's depth and development sets a hopeful tone. Similarly, Eva Campbell, with her strong-willed personality and tired heart, starts as a promising heroine, sparking hope for a meaningful transformation throughout the narrative.

The chemistry between Eva and Sean is intended to be a slow burn, but it often feels more tepid than torrid. While occasionally sweet, their interactions lack the spark to keep readers fully engaged. However, the potential for their relationship to evolve into something more passionate and engaging is palpable. Still, the transition feels more mechanical than organic, missing the emotional depth that makes romance genuinely resonate.

The pacing of 'Fake Flame' is a mixed bag. While some scenes are engaging and filled with witty banter, others feel sluggish and fail to maintain momentum. Certain plot points also appear forced or contrived, disrupting the natural flow of the story. Unfortunately, the supporting characters, who could have injected more energy into the narrative, are underdeveloped, further contributing to the uneven pacing.

Despite its promising setup, "Fake Flame" falls short of delivering a truly memorable romantic comedy. The premise is clever, and there are moments of genuine charm, but the overall execution lacks the depth and development needed to make the story shine. Fans of light-hearted romance might enjoy the playful banter and unique concept, but those looking for a more compelling and emotionally satisfying read may be disappointed.

Overall I did enjoy the book. However I felt like the ending was written by a different author and it just didn't fit in. Also why are we talking so much about him peeing?

This story follows a bookish firefighter who suggests fake dating an English professor to send of her ex. I really enjoyed this book as it was a fun, short, cute read. I liked the fast-paced story and reading about two people who instantly fell in love. The storyline was good but I do have to say that it wasn’t well structured. The beginning started of good but then I felt like the story was going a bit all over. It wasn’t too bad but you can tell. I also didn’t enjoy the pov switch throughout the book as in usually you would see a new pov start when a new chapter starts but for this story it switches midway. The book is told from dual povs which was great but it needed to be more direct.

Eva is the FMC of the story whose ex is harassing her and the firefighter that saved her decides to help her. I liked her character and her passion for reading. I do have to say she was kind of bland as there wasn’t much story going for her. Then we have Sean who’s a firefighter who decides to help Eva because he has a crush on her. He’s a great character (love that he loves to read romance) but we just don’t know much about him. There are a few side characters in this book but none who stood out to me. There are a lot of tropes in this book but the main ones are the reverse age gap, fake dating, and instant love. I didn’t like the third-act breakup but the couple are cute together.

The ending was well done and I loved the HEA the characters got. This story was great and perfect to read in one sitting. I do wish the povs were written different as I believe they would have enhanced that reading experience. Overall not a bad read.

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*