Wild Fire is an enjoyable sapphic romance that combines a cozy ranch setting with deeper themes of trauma, identity, and self-discovery. The book follows Olivia, a polished NYC businesswoman returning to Red Sky Ranch to help her best friend with a new project, and Riley, a firefighter grappling with complex PTSD from surviving a devastating wildfire. Their connection is undeniable, and Riley’s charm and vulnerabilty definitely adds a layer of intrigue to their dynamic.

The novel handles heavier themes like PTSD and late-life realisations about sexuality thoughtfully. However, the character development felt a bit underwhelming at times. While Riley's struggles were more fleshed out, Olivia’s character, particularly her journey with her own identity, could have used more depth. The romance itself is sweet but predictable, and the ending felt rushed, wrapping things up a bit too neatly in the final stretch.

Though not as strong as the first book in the Red Sky Ranch series, Wild Fire is still a solid, feel-good read. It balances light, heartwarming moments with emotional depth, offering an easy escape with a guaranteed happy ending. Fans of Radclyffe and Julie Cannon’s storytelling will definitely enjoy this second book in the series.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Bold Strokes and Netgalley for a copy in exhange for my review.

What happens when a city girl goes to the middle of nowhere? She ends up finding the one thing she never thought she ever could, and more. Manhattanite Olivia Martinez is filling a little listless after quitting her job, but a job opportunity from an old colleague and dear friend Elizabeth has her returning to Arizona where she had originally help Elizabeth with other projects. Here she reconnects with firefighter Riley Mitchell, and the attraction that had sparked months before now rekindled.

Watching Olivia struggle with wanting to take care of her aging parents and living her own life is all too real for me. Combine this with worry of letting them know about her sexuality and I feel this is something that a number of people will resonate with.

Riley and Olivia's relationship starts off as a very spicy fling, but their chemistry is very much more then physical and emotions quickly become involved. However they both have baggage that they have to deal with, and getting to see them deal with it together (and I do like that it wasn't needlessly drawn out or made more angsty then needed) had me smiling. The romance was very well written and Riley and Olivia compliment one another very well.

I like that the book follows two strong, independent women who find themselves drawn to each other while facing life-changing challenges. The authors skilfully balance action with deep, authentic emotional moments, capturing both the thrill of new love and the courage it takes to embrace it. A heartfelt, intense read that keeps you turning pages. The writing feels coherent despite being a jointly written book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Wild Fire. I enjoyed this novel and the information related to being a hotshot/ on a fire crew! This was a nice slow burn set in rural Arizona on a resort. I also appreciate the queer platonic friendship love and coming out later in life to parents.

A classic opposites-attract romance, Wild Fire is the love story of city-girl Olivia and risk-loving, troubled firefighter Riley. After Olivia quits her job in New York, she takes a job as a project manager for her best friend...at a ranch out west. There, she keeps running into the beautiful, strong Riley. There's tension there, but neither wants to make the first move, since Riley doesn't do committed and Olivia never intends to stay, but both of them feel like starting something will change them forever.
It's pretty slow. There's not anything about it that makes it stand out exceptionally in the genre, but it's very readable.

Just finished "Wild Fire" the second book in the Red Sky Ranch romance series by Radclyffe and Julie Cannon. I was completely blown away! This beautifully crafted tale of self-discovery and unexpected love between Olivia and Riley is a breathtaking journey from the concrete jungle of Manhattan to the wild heart of the Red Sky Ranch in Arizona.

I found Olivia’s struggle to balance family obligations with her newfound courage to embrace life so relatable. Riley’s thrilling escapades as a wildland & structure firefighter added a pulse-pounding edge that I both identified with and kept me on the edge of my seat! The chemistry between these two is electric, erotically spicy, and their journey from fear to love is nothing short of inspiring.

If you're looking for a story that ignites the heart and challenges the soul, look no further! Highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

Absolutely amazing! This is such a wonderful collaboration between Radclyffe and Julie, they wrote the main characters with so many interesting layers. I had the best weekend reading their story. I loved the action, angst and how slowly these two women fell in love.

Wild Fire is story of opposites finding their way to each other. Olivia always has a plan, a goal, a timeline but for once she is at a loss for what comes next. On the other hand Riley lives in the now, not taking anything for granted, especially given the risk Riley is continously in when fighting fire.

One thing is for sure, Radclyffe and Julie Cannon know how to plot a good story and for the most part, i found it an enjoyable read. i liked the back and forth between the two characters, could sense the tension and thought the build up of it was done well. It also helped that i could pick this up without having to read the first book in the series.

I only wish the characters were fleshed out a little more, it was 90% there but i just needed that 10% more depth of what makes them them yk.

Tropes: Opposites attract, poc mc, firefighter mc, rural/ranch setting, found family.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I love these authors separately but together they bring something so exceptional!
I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading either of these authors.

This is the second book by Cannon/Radclyffe where they revisit the Red Sky Ranch. We first were introduced to these characters, the one where Elizabeth falls in love with Kelsey and stays on the ranch. A lot has changed in the last two years. The ranch continues to grow with all kinds of improvements. Now she needs someone to manage it.
Enter Olivia Martinez, Elizabeth's best friend from NY. Olivia had been to the ranch before but she couldn’t stay, she was a city girl who couldn’t imagine living in the country. Little did she know Olivia had just quit her job. But when Elizabeth needs her to get the next stage of development done, and she could, maybe see if firefighter Riley Mitchell is still available.
Riley has had a rough beginning but has found a nice balance with using time spent on the ranch to help with the new construction going on. And boy, oh boy she did remember Olivia. The question is, how long Olivia’s staying this time and should Riley fall for her again.
Two great authors who both know how to tell a story. Likable characters, interesting plot make this a very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books

Two great storytellers combine to write the latest in the Red Sky Romance series and they don't disappoint. We met Olivia and Riley in the first book but this book works well even if you haven't read that one. Time has passed and Olivia has returned to the ranch for work and also to have time to figure out her sexuality, meanwhile Riley is working at the ranch on her own project and trying to process her PTSD. I liked that this is a slow burn romance, low angst and with great supporting friendships. I love the way that Radclyffe takes traditional American rural settings and creates a lesbian community within them. An enthralling story told really well.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An amazing Sapphic romance. Its the second in the series but can be read as a stand alone. The main characters have amazing and undeniable chemistry from the start. Its an emotional read and it was a joy to embark on Riley and Olivia evolving relationship and personal growth. Well done!!

Thanks to the publisher Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

There’s a lot to like about Wild Fire. The characters are all very likeable, the setting feels like somewhere you’d like to fall in love, it’s a sapphic romance and honestly is there anything better? All whilst Riley is serving golden retriever energy whilst also staying a little in the danger zone to make her a little more intriguing. This is a fun, easy going sapphic romance and you’ll find yourself easily getting chapters under your belt without even meaning to get through it quickly.

Those are the light bits. The book also delves into thoughts and feelings around suffering complex PTSD, and does so in a way that I found thoughtful and relatable, there’s also the coming out in later life trope and realising your sexuality for the right person. Again something I personally dealt with so could connect with the character quite well on some of this thought process.

3 stars feels harsh I would have given this 3.5 stars but review sites are yet to allow us half stars. For me I would have liked to have seen a little more character development, and the ending felt really rushed to wrap everything up in the final few % of this book. Nonetheless this doesn’t detract from it being a lovely little read.

This was a really good book. It's the second of a series, but it can be read as a stand alone too. I really liked both main characters and their personalities worked well together. Both main character had her own baggage and drama to get through, but that just made this story more enjoyable to read. The secondary characters were well suited to this story and made it an even better story. Like I said this story has quite a bit of angst and drama, but that just makes it a more interesting and compelling book. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to the next book in this series.

*Wild Fire* by Radclyffe and Julie Cannon is a passionate romance set against the rugged, untamed backdrop of a remote ranch. The novel brings together Olivia Martinez, a polished New Yorker at a crossroads in her life, and Riley Mitchell, a thrill-seeking firefighter with a troubled past. Their worlds collide at Red Sky Ranch, where Olivia’s temporary stay challenges both women in ways they never expected.

The chemistry between Olivia and Riley is undeniable from the start, but the novel’s strength lies in how it navigates their personal growth alongside their evolving relationship. Olivia’s journey from city life to ranch living forces her to confront her fears and insecurities, while Riley must face the emotional walls she’s built to protect herself from commitment. Radclyffe and Cannon expertly balance the fiery attraction between them with moments of vulnerability, making their romance both intense and heartfelt.

*Wild Fire* is a gripping, emotional read that explores the power of taking risks—whether it’s in love, life, or stepping out of one’s comfort zone. With strong, dynamic characters and a lush setting, it’s a story that burns bright and lingers long after the last page.

Radclyffe knows how to tell a story and in this series she teams up with Julie Cannon to write about the Red Sky Ranch. It’s an enjoyable read with two endearing characters with emotional baggage but I think the first book had more jeopardy and angst.

Olivia loses her job in NYC with Elizabeth’s family company because she supported Elizabeth in book one. At a loose end, she agrees to come back to the ranch to help Elizabeth and Kelsey with their next project. It also means spending time with firefighter Riley who she met at the ranch before. Riley is Kelsey’s best friend.

There are side people and sub plots but the overall story is a predictable romance leading to a happy ever after but that’s no bad thing in the rites at the moment. And I’ll still read whatever Radclyffe writes… we all need a bit of easy reading with a happy ending now and again.

I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley

Structured and stable meets daring and dangerous. Will attraction flare into something more or will it sizzle out?

I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Olivia Martinez finds herself at a crossroads. Having quit her job, she is aimless for the first time in twenty years. Olivia has worked almost all those years with her best friend Elizabeth on projects around the world. Elizabeth left her job a bit earlier to strike out on her own in the middle of the Arizona desert where she now lives with her wife Kelsey. Olivia did work a bit on the ranch Elizabeth is building now, but she can’t see herself moving there permanently, even though Elizabeth begs her to do just that. All Olivia can say is, she’ll go out to the ranch for a few months to work on a new project. Life in the desert is not in the least bit appealing to Olivia. As a city girl, her ideas of an exciting life have nothing to do with heat, sand and slithering creepers. What might be exciting though is seeing Riley again. Riley, the extremely attractive fire fighter that has inspired some unexpected feelings in Olivia…

Riley Mitchell is always seeking thrills. Her job as a fire fighter and smoke jumper provide her with plenty. And even in her free time she likes to jump out of planes or race her motorcycle through the desert. Riley likes the death defying thrills but underneath her armor she struggles with anxiety and trauma. Out fighting a wild fire a few years back, she lost her crew, her friends. As the sole survivor Riley has been living with immense guilt. She keeps her life simple: work, helping out in the community and some meaningless hookups for physical release. When the gorgeous Olivia returns to Arizona, Riley wants to explore what it is between them. A fling is all she wants though, because Olivia will leave again. It’s a perfect situation, isn’t it?

I was invested in this story from page one. The obvious differences between Olivia and Riley are perfect and kept me invested in the story. While Olivia is very open about her hesitations about her stay in Arizona and what she can give Riley, Riley keeps her cards closer to her chest. Not about her interest in Olivia, but about her past and the invisible scars that she carries with her. As the story progresses you can feel Riley’s walls crumble with every page you turn. The connection between these two women is so strong, I would have been very mad if the ending was different. Lucky for me, this is a classic Sapphic Romance in that way.

The relationship between Olivia and Elizabeth is a great example of strong female friendships. Not only are they a dream team while working, they also read each other like a book and support each other however they can. When Olivia sees the way Elizabeth has flourished since being in a relationship with Kelsey, she is so happy for her friend. At the same time a kernel of hope is planted inside her own heart. Maybe Olivia can have it all too. She does her very best to ignore that kernel and tries to maintain a certain boundary with Riley, but as a reader you quickly realize the fighting is futile. It takes Olivia a bit longer though!

Wild Fire has some very good representation of mental issues like anxiety and PTSD. Riley’s struggles with her past are described so hauntingly, you can feel it in your bones. The same can be said of Olivia’s fear of telling her very religious parents about her feelings towards women. I am so glad that in this case, the fear is mostly unwarranted.

Wild Fire is one of those stories that are hard to put down. I suggest you put your phone on silent for a few hours to travel to a tiny desert town in Arizona. I’m sure you will not regret meeting Olivia and Riley!

This is the second book in the Red Sky Ranch series but it can be read as a standalone. I definitely preferred book 1 but this was still a cute read.

I just felt like neither character was developed enough. Riley and Olivia are the definition of opposites attract and they make an adorable couple with great chemistry. What a first kiss. They both have their issues and help each other deal with them. It just felt like it was missing something.

The scene setting is beautifully done. I enjoyed seeing Elizabeth & Kelsey again and seeing how Red Sky Ranch has expanded. They are such a great friendship group.

It's a cute sapphic romance with a hint of spice.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t realise it was second in a series and it reads well as a stand alone. I liked both main characters and thought they gelled well together. The ending tied together a bit too neatly and you didn’t really find out what had happened to make Riley guilty about her team but I guess that was in the first book. An enjoyable read though.

After reading ‘Fire in the Sky’ (Dec 2023), I really wanted to continue with the setting and characters. This is the second book in the Red Sky Ranch series co-written by authors I’ve enjoyed separately. Olivia Martinez was introduced in the first book as the assistant to Elizabeth who took on turning the ranch into a sought after resort. It is now two years later and Olivia returns to work with Elizabeth again in expanding the operations of the resort. She could have stayed originally but wanted to return to Manhattan to be close to her parents.

She already knows Riley Mitchell who is a firefighter in town. Riley is best friends with Elizabeth’s wife Kelsey and is frequently at the ranch. Olivia and Riley both try and resist their sizzling attraction. Riley has never been in a relationship. Attachments are hard with her work. Olivia has never been out, even to her best friend, for fear of disappointing parents. They both have things to overcome to be together.

I enjoyed their story. I like how Olivia speaks up for what she wants from Riley, often making the first move. I don’t know how the authors split up the writing but Radclyffe has always excelled at writing about first responders. And because I like the couple from the first book I enjoyed them popping up in this one, although you could read this as a stand alone. And I’m excited about the future couple for the next book. Assuming the two new characters in this one are the focus. Can’t recommend this book enough. And treat yourself and read the first book in the series if you haven’t already.