Another incredible story that just had me in all my feels. Jewel E Ann's stories feel natural & real, touching upon very relatable & delicate topics that evoke so many emotions. This is the 2nd book in this interconnected series that focuses on the fiercely protective & outspoken Maren, roommate to Will & Fitz from Book 1 (From Air). You can jump right in but I highly recommend reading From Air (you get some background but it's also a 5⭐️ for me).

Air tanker pilot Maren meets widowed mechanic Ozzy in one of the best meet-cutes I've read. There's this instant connection between them & Ozzy immediately feels a spark he hasn't felt since well before his wife died. Ozzy's world is very complicated as he is a single father to 10-year-old Lola who has PTSD from the accident that killed her mother. He's living with disapproving in-laws that he needs for Lola's care. But that doesn't stop Ozzy from pursuing Maren & certainly doesn't stop Maren from falling head over heels for both Ozzy & his daughter.

First off, Ozzy is the swooniest MMC. The way he shows his feelings for Maren is endearing, sweet & just book boyfriend perfection. He might be conflicted on how he should pursue his relationship while balancing the needs of his daughter & his home life but that doesn't stop this man from melting Maren's (and my) heart. I mean, there are a lot of love notes & flowers!

This entire story is filled with complex emotions that speak to life after loss, healing from tragedy, facing your fears & finding happiness again. Ozzy & Lola are at the center but it's also Maren's acceptance & patience that really shines. The relationship that evolves with not only Ozzy & Maren but Lola & Maren is so beautiful & just tugs at the heartstrings.

Their journey to a HEA is a bumpy road that is filled with humor, spice, angst & just the most heartfelt moments that brought me to tears. This is just another example of why Jewel E. Ann has become an auto-buy author for me - and I can't wait to hopefully read Will's story next 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻


✈️ Air Tanker Pilot x Mechanic
❤️‍🩹 Widower
➶ Single Father
🏡 Small Town
🤫 Secret Relationship
🛠️ Workplace Romance
🥮 Cinnamon Roll Hero
✌🏻 Dual POV

Jewel E. Ann once again delivers a story that’s equal parts witty, emotional, and deeply engaging. This one pulls you in with its hilarious, perfectly executed banter (seriously, she nails it!) and keeps you hooked with a romance that’s as heartfelt as it is complicated. Maren and Ozzy’s chemistry is electric, but their story is more than just swoon-worthy moments—it’s raw, real, and layered with themes of love, loss, and healing.

I loved how this book wasn’t just a lighthearted romance; it tackled real-life struggles with depth and authenticity. And Ozzy’s daughter, Lola, adds even more heart to the story. This book made me laugh, tugged at my emotions, and left me thinking about it long after the last page. If you love romance with humor, depth, and all the feels, this one is a must-read! 💛✨

- Black Cat x Golden Retriever
- Workplace romance
- Single dad
- Hidden romance
- Small town
- Grief
- 3.5 stars
- 2 open door scenes but not explicit

Maren, independent firefighter pilot, meets Ozzy, widower single dad mechanic, in awkward, less than ideal circumstances. Their attraction is immediate, their romance story more complicated. Ozzy's daughter, Lola, is still dealing with scars from the car accident that killed her mother...and her fears (and her grandmother's anger) influence Ozzy's life.

"From Nowhere" shines with its portrayal of grief and the effects one person's choices have on everything else. Jewel E. Ann has a knack for conveying complex emotions and writing witty dialogue. Glimpses of Fitz and Jamie (from "From Air") were great. Lola's anxiety and trauma are woven in to the story beautifully and with care. Ozzy's in-laws are beyond unlikeable and frustrating, but I appreciated experiencing them through Ozzy's POV. Throughout the novel, Ozzy's earnestness and Maren's patience are infinite.

Maren made a rushed big decision that didn't feel like her but served to advance the plot. And I was left with a few questions and smaller items I wish came full circle in the end.

That being said, "From Nowhere" is a solid follow-up to "From Air" and I'm eagerly awaiting Will's story.

3.5 stars because it didn't captivate me like "From Air" did and the pacing was rushed in some places, specifically Maren's big decision.

Thank you to Valentine PR for the ARC!

From Nowhere, the 2nd book in the Wildfire Series by Jewel E. Ann, is what I’ve been waiting for from this author. The writing, the pacing, the characters, the story line – this book is the Jewel E. Ann I feel in love with when I picked up my very first book by her. I fell hard for Maren, Ozzy and Lola. I knew I would enjoy Maren’s character after having been introduced to her in the first book of this series, but I had no idea I would “like” her so much. She’s such a special person with traits and attributes we could all learn to live by. Ozzy, my goodness. Yes, Jewel E. Ann can write swoon-worthy male leads, but sometimes she just hits it out of the park and she did with Ozzy. And the character who stole the show as far as I’m concerned is Lola; adorable, bright, sweet Lola. I’m not going to ruin this read by giving too much away, but let me say, it broke my heart several times. This is an emotional, movingly-intense, thought-provoking, tear-your-heart-out read and I most definitely recommend it to anyone whose looking for something a little different in this genre. Or maybe you’re looking for a classic Jewel E. Ann read that will remind you of her earlier books–look no more. This one touched my heart and soul in so many ways. I’m very grateful to have been given the chance to read an advance copy of this 5+ star book through NetGalley.

From Nowhere is the kind of book that makes you believe in love. Is Maren and Ozzy’s path to love perfect? No, in fact, I would say this love was complicated, messy, and hard fought. Maybe that is what made it so perfect. The love felt real. The love between Maren and Lola was beautiful and life-changing. Ozzy is the kind of man/book boyfriend who would ruin any woman for any future men in her life. Flowers, notes, kindness, a great dad, flirty, sexy... all of those things are Ozzy. I knew I would love From Nowhere based on how much I enjoyed From Air, but I didn’t expect to love it even more than From Air. There are some hard topics in this one, but for those who are able, this one is definitely worth a read.

Okay, I know I’ve said this a million times before, but Jewel E. Ann is the author I go to when I need a story that will totally captivate me! From Nowhere is the second book in the Wildfire series, and let me tell you – it could easily be a standalone (but why miss out on the first one?).
This book has it all: humor, heart, and that irresistible chemistry that makes you flip pages faster than you can blink. Ozzy and Maren’s connection is absolute perfection. Ozzy, a single dad (cue the heart-eyed emoji!), absolutely nails that "doing my best" dad vibe. He's a total swoon-worthy hero. And then there's his mother-in-law – oh boy, she brings all the angst and adds layers to the story that had me feeling all the emotions!
I won’t spoil too much, but if you love a second-chance romance with the perfect mix of humor and feels, From Nowherewill not disappoint. When you dive into this story, make sure you’re ready to devour it from start to finish because, trust me, you won’t be able to put it down!

Thank you Jewel E Ann, Valentine PR and NetGalley for this eARC for my honest review.

"It’s never the things I see coming that take my breath away. It’s the moments that come from nowhere."

Since his wife died, Ozzy’s life has shrunk to the size of wherever he can realistically ride his bike because his daughter refuses to let him get in a car. Meeting Maren is an unexpected breath of fresh air. They don’t mean to fall for each other, but love doesn’t have rules, so they try to navigate a world where they’re each still dealing with the pain of losing a loved one and the other outside factors that heavily impact any future they may have. When another life-threatening accident occurs, it’s a final push to figure out if they can make it work, or if the obstacles are just too strong.

From Nowhere is a about life — and love — after loss. It’s messy, and confusing, and painful, and complex, and comical, and beautiful, and hopeful. Overall, it’s a story of healing fill with many frustrations, joys, and raw moments of humanity.
—

this and that:
♡ cat rescue
♡ climbing in windows
♡ dual pov
♡ firefighter
♡ life after loss
♡ lots of bicycle rides
♡ open door spice
♡ secret relationship
♡ single dad
♡ sneaking around
♡ tanker pilot x plane mechanic
♡ tragic past
♡ therapy x mental health rep
♡ wildflowers
♡ workplace romance

triggers:
☞ alcoholism (mentioned, not MCs)
☞ death of loved ones
☞ grief
☞ hospitalization x life-threatening injuries
☞ scars (as a result of an accident)
☞ trauma

UGH I think this year I need to read every Jewel book that I haven't yet. Because each one is SO. DANG. GOOD. I love Maren, how she's got a cool job and self confidence but also is open to being loved and is so patient. I had moments with Ozzy- because he was real and flawed. He made mistakes, sometimes he frustrated me. But it's because he was trying to juggle so much and didn't always know the right way to go about it. And I loved their journey. And the epilogue was so cute. This whole book is just fantastic, I didn't want to put it down.

Thank you ValentinePR for the arc of From Nowhere 🫶🏼 I’ve just absolutely devoured it in one sitting.

I loved the pacing of it, we just got stuck into the story straight away & I was instantly hooked.

Ozzy is a single dad navigating quite a complicated life and he has the funniest sassiest daughter, I loved her.
Maren is so patient and understanding of Ozzy’s situation and it was nice to see someone communicate so well and healthily.

This was very fun, very romantic and also emotional. I loved it & I highly recommend.

Jewel E. Ann has done it again with From No Where the second book in the Wildfire Series, it's a breathtaking romance that deserves more than the 5 stars I'm giving it. In the second book, you get a better look into the life of Maren Bernabe, the strong air tanker pilot, who is the roommate to Fitz and Will. (Fitz's story is book #1, and even though they can be read alone or together, book #2 does give away spoilers). Maren meets Ozzy Laster in a hilarious and surprising bathroom encounter. The chemistry is instant, and in Maren style, she faces the challenge head-on. Ozzy, on the other hand, has many challenges he is facing at the moment. However, he is extremely intrigued by Maren and her witty banter. Ozzy is trying to raise his daughter, Lola, when coming to terms with the death of his wife and father. The fact that Lola was also in the car when her mom was killed now make Lola afraid for her or her father to ride in cars, so they bike everywhere they go. This presents many obstacles for Ozzy and Maren as they begin to sneak around to find out if there is more to the amazing chemistry they share. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that will make them laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love.

“You’re ruining me. You’ve set the bar impossibly high.”
“In that case, I’ve never wanted to ruin someone so much in my life.”

4.75⭐️ woowwwww. This story. I loved every part. I was expecting emotions but me crying at 4am multiple times I was not. I couldn’t put Ozzy, Maren and Lola’s story down. We get a man who unfriendly lost his wife a couple years ago and is navigating being a single dad, raising his 10 year old daughter, Lola, his ex in laws living with him and lots of grief and healing. Ozzy wasn’t looking for anything but Maren unexpectedly popped up in his life and there was no turning back. Ozzy is swoony. This man knows how to charm a girl and sets the bar high. Maren is a girl that isn’t afraid to back down from a challenge, unapologetically herself, outgoing and I loved her so much. Ozzy and Maren together are perfect. I loved how they met and the way everything progressed with them. The love they have for each other even through the really hard times in life and they have dealt with so much. But especially the love Maren has for Lola was so freaking heartwarming. Lola has experienced so much trauma as well but the way she bonds with Maren and feels a sense of safety with her was emotional. Their journey was far from easy it was emotional, happy, funny, frustrating and messy at times but the ending and journey was so so worth it. This is a story that will stay with me.

Small town and single dad romance. My two favorite tropes.
This book is everything….heartbreaking, romantic, and funny at times. I cried sad tears and happy ones too. One of the best books I’ve ever read.
Ozzy is a wonderful dad to Lola, after loosing his wife and her mom in a tragic accident he does everything he can to help her get through her fears of getting in a car. Riding their bikes everywhere instead.
When he meets Maren, he can’t get her off his mind and constantly running into each other. When they finally get together it’s fireworks and he knows she’s the one. She loves his daughter like her own. Swoon.
Can’t really say more without spoiling it so I’ll just say grab this book and see for yourself. A beautiful love story.

This book stole my heart 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗼𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 (too cheesy right? I apologise)

Airplane mechanic Ozzy Laster is in a pickle, he has a date to get to... on a bike, in the pouring rain, all because he promised his daughter he wouldn't get in a car.

He might be in luck though because tanker pilot Maren has a thing for his helmet hair and wildflower bunches.

~

With each wildflower Ozzy gave to Maren, my heart melted and that kitten story? Downright puddle.

Lola - Ozzy's kid was also the perfect little cupid with her antics and matchmaking schemes.

One of the best possible plot. Dealt with maturity, in a healthy way with the perfect balance of romance and life.

A solid gold star rating. Would recommend for a cosy weekend read.

~

4.02 / 5 ★

Thanks to Montlake and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved the first book in this series and could not wait to read this one, and it did not disappoint.

Maren’s patience and understanding with Ozzy’s situation is saintly. Ozzy has suffered unimaginable loss and trauma, but he keeps going every day for his daughter, Lola. Sweet, sweet Lola. She steals the show in this book. Her strength and resilience is awe inspiring.

The growth and development of all the characters throughout this book is flawless. This is an undeniably beautiful story about life and love after loss, and healing from trauma. It’s told with grace, kindness, compassion, and a little heat too.

From Nowhere houses an emotional pool whose depths I happily swam— even as tears streaked down my cheeks at times. It’s moving, vulnerable, and so beautiful. Its love story resonated with me, its plot enticed me, and its characters stole my heart. Completely.

And at the heart of this story is Maren, Ozzy, and his daughter Lola. All three carry the narrative with grace, sensitivity, and endless love.

Maren and Ozzy’s love story begins with a meet cute I never would have guessed would happen in any book ever! It’s just so out of pocket in the very best way possible! I loved it! I won’t spoil a single adorably awkward second of it, but it’s such a delightful, fun, human scene. And it instantly made me like each lead. I instantly came to love Maren for how easily she could contend with embarrassment, I loved her confidence and earnestness. And then there’s Ozzy who took the situation like all others— head on. He eased any potential discomfort with a disarming smile and quip. The chemistry between the two is so immediate and charming. It’s the type of chemistry that leaves you clamoring for more and more. And more!

What unfolds is a burgeoning romance that must be treaded carefully, given certain circumstances, and what comes from that are two adults who suddenly feel like teenagers, sneaking around and catching secret moments together. Their relationship comes with a playfulness that Ozzy especially needs in his life, it fills each of their lives with color and vibrancy and the hope for something more, something lasting.

But no one carries hope quite like Ozzy’s young daughter Lola. Traumatized by a past event that witness her losing her mother, Lola fears much but she also grasps onto the hope things will get better for her— and for her dad. In fact, she leads the charge to have her dad find someone special in his life. The relationship between Lola and Ozzy is so emotional to witness. He will give up his life for his little girl. She is his priority without question, he will chase away every worry, every fright, every doubt from her life. Lola is an intricate part of this narrative. I really appreciate when authors elevate the role of a single parent’s child(ren) in narratives. Rather than sweeping the child under the rug, Jewel E. Ann makes her a focal point, for not just her dad, but for Maren too. And that becomes another bond so beautiful to see blossom. Maren is so careful and tender towards Lola, but she also brings out a courage and fire much needed in Lola. She becomes a role model in many ways, and together, the three become a family you will root for endlessly.

And this especially comes to head at the climax of the tale. Which comes in like a wrecking ball. And the debris it leaves behind brings anguish, open wounds, and that prevailing theme of this narrative: it brings hope. Admittedly, I felt quite conflicted about a choice made by Ozzy in this moment. On one hand, it’s so utterly understandable, but on the other, it felt incomprehensible. I felt hurt by this choice, properly hurt. As sympathetic as I was towards the decision taken, I wish it could have been addressed more thoroughly before forgiveness was issued. Ultimately, I can’t make these characters malleable to my own desire, but I can commend them for being fully fleshed out, complicated, complex, at times messy human beings that feel so tangible, so vulnerable, and oh so relatable. Characters like Ozzy ensure a narrative like this is given a human touch and emotional depth. I may wrestle with how I received it, but I do appreciate the vulnerability it explored every step of the way. It absolutely elevates the material.

Not to give too much away, but at a certain point of the narrative it becomes very important for Maren to hear three special words from Ozzy, that "I love you" to confirm their feelings. And there is no doubt that love is there, but I let myself be haunted by one line where Ozzy reflects on his immense love for his wife, and I wondered if Maren would share that same shelf in his heart. I expected that confirmation. And in action, it’s absolutely there, but like Maren and her need for those three words, I wanted to see Ozzy tack on an “just as much” when it came to his love for her residing next to the love already in his heart. At times that haunting made me question if he was in love or in lust. Especially when a comparison to past and present sex life is discussed. I think I simply needed more of an emotional connection in Maren and Ozzy’s intimacy, physically it’s absolutely there, but I would have enjoyed just a bit more in terms of the emotional chord. I’d love if a bonus chapter were to come around just to eradicate that bit of haunting in my mind. This feels like a very silly hang up I placed myself in, especially considering how much I adored their romance as a whole. I 100% felt their chemistry, I rooted for their blossoming love, and I so desired their happily ever after. Because they deserve it so very, very much. Their journey is not one without hurdles, but it’s one you hope to see them conquer so they can earn their victory at the finish line.

And they absolutely deserve to earn it.

To the story that brought me tears, both sad and happy, to the story that made me scream and laugh, to the story that made me want to hug my loved ones a little tighter today. You were a beautiful, moving read. I’m so happy to know you.

Thank you NetGalley, Montlake, and Valentine PR for the advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Thank you to netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I read an arc of the first book in this series and absolutely loved it, however this second one didn't hit the same for me. It was very insta-love which isn't for me. However, the couple were very sweet, it is single dad trope and deals with a lot of trauma. I would still recommend to anyone who isn't bothered by insta-love.

I know a lot of romance readers love single dads or widowers, but generally speaking, they are not my favorite leading male characters. However, this particular book defies my usual judgment on that statement. Ozzy was unexpected in so many ways and he kept surprising Maren, too. I adored Ozzy because he loved his daughter Lola and made so many sacrifices for her to keep her protected and secure after the traumatic loss of his wife and her mother. He had so many inner conflicts that were real for anyone in his situation and as wonderful as he was, he was also not without his flaws. I empathized with him a lot for his single parent struggles, attempting to date for the first time in 2 years, prioritizing his daughter’s wellbeing and trying to avoid comparisons to his late wife.

Maren also surprised me with how openly accepting she was of Ozzy’s predicament, knowing that Lola came first in Ozzy’s life and that they didn’t have the luxury of dating like a regular couple would with stolen time here and there and sneaking behind closed doors. But Maren is not an ordinary woman. She’s a fantastic tanker pilot in a male dominated field so she’s not one to shy away from challenges and that includes falling in love with a guy with limited availability and other restrictions. What really resonated most was how Ozzy was fully aware of what he could not offer compared to other single men and yet he still provided so much in terms of expressing his appreciation in the simplest of ways and making the most of his predicament, making Maren feel seen. To me, she was not settling for less than what she deserved and she stepped up to match Ozzy’s energy every time and to help lessen his load.

I loved everything about these two together. And Lola herself is endearing and hilarious in her innocence and vulnerability. Although trauma and tragedy is a pretty central theme for how it shapes each person, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful and optimistic that they would all move forward to a better and brighter future. Jewel E Ann does such a beautiful job of navigating through these tender circumstances to showcase that life is not over because of risk and loss, but a new chapter can be born. I can’t wait to find out what happens with Will in the next installment.

I would have finished this in less than 24 hours if I didn't have to adult. Ozzy and Maren's story captivated you from the first sentence of Ozzy's little girl Lola. From that moment to the last page this story had you rooting for them.

You can't help but fall in love with each character from Lola, OMG this girl, spunky, sassy and no filter! Ozzy is, gosh this man with his flowers and notes win you over and over again. He is sweet and tender. The protectiveness he has for his daughter as they try to navigate through tragedy, there is nothing he wouldn't do for his daughter, helmet hair and all.

If you read book one in this series, Maren is that friend we fell for. Strong, funny, independent and a badass firefighter pilot. The best things come out of nowhere and that's Ozzy and Maren. The two steps forward and one step back in the healing process and finding love again or for the first time wanting something more beyond the single life.

From Nowhere had me laughing, swooning, and crying until the last page. Highly Highly Recommend adding this to your TBR this is the best book I have read so far this year!

From Nowhere is classic Jewel E Ann. It breaks your heart and makes you smile on the same page. I'm usually not a huge fan of the single-parent trope, it can be too messy and can detract from the story in my opinion. That is absolutely not the case here. Lola is the cutest and brings so much sass and life, I adored her. Ozzy is doing his best to balance the death of his wife and the needs of his daughter taking it one day and figuring it out as he goes. The man has the patience of a saint. The only other person in this book with more patience than Ozzy is Maren. Her understanding and love are so deep it made my heart ache. Of course, they have chemistry that radiates from the page and banter that's top-notch. I highly recommend this book, and while you can read it as a stand-alone, Fitz and Jamie make appearances and it's so fun to see them. You'll also miss the setup for Will's story, and I have a feeling that one's going to be an even bigger ride.

This story was absolutely tragic and beautiful. We have this man Ozzy, who is a widow trying to navigate life after the loss of his wife, raising his daughter who survived the accident. She is dealing with the ptsd of the accident, and Ozxy is trying his best to help her heal 2 years later.

Maren was never part of his plan, and his late wife's parents have no problem letting him know that. Their help is essentially conditional to him remaining in the past. They can't see their son in law falling for another woman. But Maren is breathing life back into Ozzy and Lola, his daughter. They navigate life and loss, new beginnings, and struggles while falling in love.

Thank you to valentine pr for the early copy