All Fired Up: A Small Town Second Chance Firefighter Romance

Give me a second chance romance set in a small town, and I am a happy reader. Add a favorite author who does these things so well to the mix and it's a hands-down winner all the way. I really enjoyed the Bliss River series by Lili Valente, and was super-excited to see that ALL FIRED UP, the first book in her Hometown Heat series, is a spin-off of these books. Second chances are never without angst, but I couldn't help but hope that Naomi and Jake would be able to find their way back to each other, because they are both so likable and truly "get" each other in the way that only true soulmates do. The sizzling chemistry is still there between them, and once they make the real effort to open up to each other, it's mostly smooth sailing. As is usual in Lili's books, there are plenty of great supporting characters that totally deserve stories of their own, and Lili does a sweet job of setting things up for that to happen. Since seeing folks get their HEA is pretty much why I read romance, I am all in for any and all books in this series that are coming our way. ALL FIRED UP is an infinitely readable and engaging read, and an easy recommendation for book lovers that enjoy both sizzle and sweet in their books. Make time for a visit to Bliss River; you'll be so glad that you did. ❤️

All Fired Up is a thoroughly enjoyable and all-around wonderful small town, second chance romance. Lili Valente always crafts stories with heart and heat, and she gives us characters that we really get to know and root for. Jake and Naomi were high school sweethearts, and Naomi broke Jake's heart when she left town a decade ago. Now that she's back in town, he does everything he can to deny the old feelings that resurfaced. Naomi left because she was looking for "more" way back when, but now that she's had some experience, she understands that the more she was looking for doesn't mean that much if she doesn't have the man she truly loves. Both characters are hurting, and I love that their rekindled relationship gives them what they need to move past their hurts and find some happiness. The audio, narrated by Lili Valente and Teddy Hamilton, is an emotional listen with some humor and tons of heart. Teddy really expresses how Jake is torn between wanting to be happy and wanting to keep Naomi at arm's length. Lili, as the writer and the narrator, really expresses the emotional turmoil and growth that Naomi experiences. They bring such heart and passion to the words. Plus we get some cameos by characters from Lili's Bliss River series. It's always great to reunite with characters that seem like old friends. Note: this is a reboot of the Hometown Heroes series.

I am always a sucker for a story about a firefighters. So that, coupled with the fact that Lili Valente is always a must read for me, I knew All Fired Up was going to be amazing…and I was right. Jake and Naomi were high school sweethearts and their connection had always been strong. But when Naomi left Bliss River 15 years ago in search of a different life, she left Jake with a broken heart. But when she suffers a tragic loss and grows tired of the life she now lives, Naomi realizes her heart remains in her hometown with the only man she ever truly loved. But when she returns home with the deep hope of mending the broken relationship she left behind, she discovers Jake has built up walls around his heart and refuses to let Naomi back in. Unwilling to accept defeat, Naomi takes matters into her own hands which ultimately forces Jake to look back at what they shared so long ago. Now as their love begins to rekindle, the walls begin to crumble opening up Jake’s soul to the possibility of a second chance. Can he let go of the past and find the courage to trust Naomi with his heart again and allow them both a chance of a new life together filled with love and happiness? All Fired Up is a captivating love story. I really loved Jake and Naomi and was immediately immersed in their story. Despite the years that have passed, the sparks of love between them reignited their souls letting them both rediscover the love that had always been in their hearts. As always, Lili Valente has a magical way of writing her characters and developing a story that keeps me enthralled making me feel like I am a part of their lives to the point where I just can’t put down my IPad until I reach the end. Ms. Valente also treats us to a little snippet of her next release in this series, and I can’t wait to read Faith and Mick’s story.