Fulfilling My Duty 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❤️ enemies to lovers
🌶️ spicy
🏠 small town
❤️‍🩹 trama bonding
👮🏼‍♂️ men in uniform

The FMC Annalise (AL) and MMC Preston were inseparable growing up but lost touch after a tragic accident ripped them apart. Not being able to stop thinking about one another, Annalise returns to the small town of Piper Falls, ready to face her painful past and the man involved. Of course, the first day back in town she sees Preston, who she has been unforgivably mad at for the last ten years. A beautiful love story of loss and love and showing up even when you are afraid. AL and Preston had me laughing and crying at times.

On top of the traumatic love story unfolding, some one keeps setting fires in their small town, it seems every time they turn around. Is it just a coincidence or are they trying to leave a message for AL and Preston? It will keep you guessing until the end. Will AL face her grief and start the painful healing process?

Book 6 out of 9 in the Piper Falls series, but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you, NetGalley, Jennifer Sargent, and Havana Wilder, for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own

[book:Fulfilling My Duty: Piper Falls: Station 28 book 6 small town romance suspense enemies to lovers medical men in uniform|210623976][author:Havana Wilder|20681246]

I appreciated the suspense element. I also liked that Annalise dealt with her anxiety throughout the book and she and Preston did their best to communicate through it (to mixed results). Also, always love a MMC who knows off the bat that he is in love and will do anything for the FMC.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC. Right in the beginning we learn about our FMC Annalise, her cousin Austin and best friend Preston being close and then when Annalise turns 16 tragedy strikes and Austin gets killed by a drunk driver. Overtime Annalise loses contact with Preston and she believes that Preston abandoned her when she needed him the most. This is set in a small town with second chance romance and 10 years after the tragedy that happened Annalise goes back to her hometown and meets back up with Preston. Anna tries to heal from her trauma and loss and reconnects with Preston eventually and falls in love but not without bringing up the past and finding closure of Austin’s death from the past all while admitting their love for each other and as Annalise finds herself again in her old hometown. Preston does everything he can to protect Annalise as they explore what their relationship will bring as emotions flare between the two.

There is suspense through the story due to an arsonist leaving letters at the scenes of the crime. There’s dual pov of Annalise and Preston. This does touch on grief so be aware if you don’t do good with stuff like that. I still recommend though if you like small town, romantic suspense with the main male character protective and there is a bit of spice within the romance and this is really emotional, but I loved it!

This book was compelling, emotional roller coaster of a ride!

You know it is a great book when you must stop to check your heart rate! This was sweet but at times my heart was ripping. The ending was amazing. Would recommend this book!

Annalise has not returned to Piper Falls since the tragedy that took her cousin’s life. Now ten years later, can she make peace with the past and face the town she once loved and called home? Offered a job at the Bluebonnet Bakery she now has a job and a new friend, Harper. What she didn’t expect was to run into the boy, now man who had abandoned her so many years ago, Captain Preston Jones. Why did he abandon her in her grief so many years ago and can she ever forgive him? Learning that he had blamed himself for being unable to save her cousin made no sense to her as he had tried, but he was able to save her. Someone is not happy that she has returned, as she and Preston soon become a target, but by who and why? Small fires have been set throughout the town as Preston and his friend and firefighter Keelan search for the arsonist. A clue is left at each site, but will they be able to piece the clues together before it is too late? A heartfelt emphasis on the loss of a loved one and the pain of moving on. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

One of my biggest weaknesses is second chance romance and this did not disappoint!

It was the kind of story that tears your heart out and then slowly mends it back together. The slow burn was beautifully paced in this story between Preston and Annalise after the trauma they both endured, but after rekindling 10years on and finding each other again, it really was such a perfect ending. So happy I was able to read this as it was exactly what I needed and Havana absolutely delivered!

I adore this book.


I'm not one that is usuly into small town second chance romances often, however I gave this one a shot and it was definitely worth it.
We follow Preston and Annalisse who were best friends for most of their lives. After a tragic accident the friendship pretty much stopped at a dead halt.
Story picks up 10 years later when Annalise moves back to Piper falls

Friendships are formed, grief, love, mystery this book has a lot of compelling aspects of it.

I wouldn't necessarily call it an enemies to lovers though.

“To say that I hate myself for causing you so many tears, is a gross understatement…I should have been the one catching them, not causing them”

Preston and Annalise come back together a decade after facing a trauma. Preston will do anything to have Annalise back at his side including tracking down the serial arsonist that seems to have it out for Annalise.

I appreciated the suspense element. I also liked that Annalise dealt with her anxiety throughout the book and she and Preston did their best to communicate through it (to mixed results). Also, always love a MMC who knows off the bat that he is in love and will do anything for the FMC.

Some of the phrasing throughout the book felt unnatural which was off putting. Example from Chapter 3 when Preston is talking to his partner, “She’s always been beautiful, but when she hit puberty, she was filling out nicely, and I hated the way all the guys started hitting on her.” Another from Chapter 12 with Annalise, “Even in these turbulent seas that surge in my mind, you slice through the waves like a blade.” The pacing also was a bit of a rollercoaster.

So I really liked the idea for the story - and is was good, but the romance-troupe was'nt my vibe.
I am not a fan of miscommunication bur the spice was great!

Reunions in storytelling often evoke powerful emotions, and this narrative is a prime example. The scenes where characters come together are filled with a compelling mix of joy, nostalgia, and poignancy. This blend captures the essence of human connection in a truly impactful way.

The emotional depth is both uplifting and heart-wrenching, reflecting the bittersweet nature of long-awaited encounters. The development of each character shines through these moments, making the reunions feel authentic and meaningful. The writers skillfully balance the happiness of the reunions with the sadness of past regrets and missed opportunities, enhancing the emotional resonance.

These well-executed reunions highlight the strength and vulnerability of the characters, serving as a powerful reminder of why we invest in these stories and the people within them.

I immediately fell in love with Preston. He is such a teddy bear.
LA was a sweet girl but i kept running into issues with her constantly repeating the same lines about her feelings. The story itself was really good but their love story felt so rushed. I wish there was more time spent rebuilding their future verse just repeating how sorry they are or why they feel so weak. Overall 7/10 !

"Fulfilling My Duty" is a captivating read that dives deeply into the lasting influences of grief.
The leading characters push through their personal demons to explore what could become of the blossoming relationship they'd dreamt about while seperated for over a decade.

Small town romance always have my heart. The story was good I wish it could've made a bigger impression of making it not felt so telling.

I really enjoyed this book.
It was a fast beautiful read. I thought the story run really nicely and there was enough plot twist to keep you reading. How this book talks and deals with grief is a new concept I haven’t read before and it put me in the place of the characters. I love Preston I think he is a well rounded male main character. It did take me a while to warm up to Annalise but once you started getting more of her story she is amazing.
I just don’t like the cover /)

ARC 3.75/5 ⭐️ This was an enemies-to-lovers romantic suspense story. I am always a sucker for a second chance/both secretly pining storyline.

I do have to say I am not a fan of the book cover, but this held a good small-town romance story 😂

I enjoyed a lot of this book, and the characters were well-written. This follows Annalise and Preston, and it gets very deep and emotional. After a tragic accident, they get ripped apart, and now, ten years later, they come back together.

Overall, this was a really good read, and I would read more of Jennifer's books.

Thank you, NetGalley, Jennifer Sargent, and Havana Wilder, for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Smut and spice and everything - I love! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This was a perfect summer read to get swept away with..