Flare Up: A Firefighter Romance

4.25 stars--4.25 stars--FLARE UP is the sixth instalment in Shannon Stacey’s contemporary, adult BOSTON FIRE erotic, romance series focusing on Boston’s first responders. This is fire fighter Grant Cutter, and Wren Everett’s story line. FLARE UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Told from dual third person perspectives (Grant and Wren) FLARE UP follows the rekindling romance and relationship between fire fighter Grant Cutter and Wren Everett. Five months earlier Grant’s life was destroyed when the woman he loved disappeared without a trace. Fast forward to present day wherein Grant Cutter will come face to face with his past as the crew from Engine 59 respond to an apartment fire. Enter Wren Everett, the woman who broke our hero’s heart but a woman with secrets that are about to be exposed. What ensues is the second chance romance between Grant and Wren, and the potential fall-out as Wren’s past is targeting the people she loves including the man she destroyed months before. Wren Everett never thought her past would connect with her present but focusing on the protection of the people she loved Wren bolted, but in doing so, broke the heart of someone close. Grant Cutter never got over the betrayal of Wren’s disappearance but discovering our heroine at the scene of a fire, Grant’s emotions went into overdrive thinking he could have lost her, again. The relationship between Grant and Wren is one of second chances; a rekindling romance destroyed by threats and fears, secrets and sins. The premise is engaging and impassioned; the characters are energetic and spirited; the romance is sensual and encouraging. Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles: Lydia and Aidan, Rick Gulloti, Chris, Danny Walsh, Jamie and Scott, Gavin and Cait, Derek and Olivia, as well as Kincaid Pub owner Tommy Kincaid. We are introduced to Wren’s employers Mr. and Mrs. Belostosky, as well as Cait’s mother Patty. FLARE UP is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and love. The premise is intriguing and exciting; the characters are fun, sassy and friendly; the romance is passionate and intense. FLARE UP is a welcome addition to Shannon Stacey’s BOSTON FIRE.

This Boston Fire novel is an emotionally gripping romance that has readers willing to fight for this couple’s future. Grant and Wren are two strong, compelling characters that readers can easily connect to therefore they become emotionally caught up in the story right from the start. Wren and Grant both have heart rending emotional turmoil that are valid and quite real so their romance is in no way a sure thing and readers can feel their pain as the couple try to overcome what happened in the past in order to fight for the present. The story flows at steady pace that keeps readers interest in what is happening in the world of the Boston Fire Unit and suspense builds as Grant tries to determine what made Wren run and why she is afraid to let him help her and the danger that Wren faces becomes a reality Wren has to face that she may have made the wrong decision in leaving Grant and his friends behind. The author writes the story is such a way that readers can easily picture each and every scene which makes the events vivid and the emotions poignant ensuring that readers become completely engrossed in this gripping romance.

I've so enjoyed this series and this book is one of my favorites. While this book is the sixth in the series it can easily be read standalone. It returns us to the firehouse and Engine 59. It seems everyone is happy and deliriously in love. Everyone except Grant Cutter who recently had his heart shredded when his girlfriend Wren walked away from him. He was certain he had found "the one" right up until the point she left. Now a 911 call has brought Wren back into his life and Grant is determined to get the answers about what went wrong and make things right again. He just has to convince her to really let him in this time. Perfectly written story with amazing characters, a nice flow, and a storyline that will capture your heart. This is a must read. I highly recommend it.