Review for One Fine Fireman by Jennifer Bernard

Kirk, aka Thor, one of San Gabriel’s infamous Bachelor Firemen, certainly lives up to his nickname. He’s tall, handsome, and has a chiseled body worthy of any Viking god. But he’d give it all up for one glance from her.

Sweet, shy Maribel has no idea he’s been pining for her. There’s nothing he’d like better than to sweep her off her feet and show her just how exquisite their love could be. But Kirk has a secret and he won’t let anyone get close, least of all the sexiest woman he’s ever met.

Can a feisty little dog and an even feistier little boy help these star-crossed lovers to find the true love they both so richly deserve?

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One Fine Fireman was a pleasant read that left me with a warm fuzzy feeling and showed a promising start to a series of books featuring other sexy firefighters that I look forward to reading over the next few months.  With its likable characters, sentimental storyline, and nice balance of action and romance, Jennifer Bernard gives readers a feel-good story that ends with a satisfying conclusion.

Maribel has thought of herself as engaged for years, but the man constantly on her mind is firefighter Kirk, aka Thor.  Even though he says very little to her it's the highlight of her day and she misses him when he's gone.  After he finally makes his move on her, with the help of her young son, it's almost too late to get her to admit the truth of her feelings before he's forced to leave town to save his life.  Maribel is a kind-hearted character, a bit flighty at times and not as smart as her young son when it comes to her fiancée.  I was left frustrated by her through the first half of the book because of her indecision in dumping her uncaring and superficial fiancée, especially after Kirk's loving declaration.  In the next instant though I admired her unquestionable support of Kirk and his deeply scarred body.  She made him feel strong again after his disease made him feel weak.  She helped him feel like a hero again.  

After a battle against cancer that has left his body scarred and his mind tired, all the sexy Kirk wants to do is finally be brave enough to tell Maribel how he's felt about her for ages.  After befriending her son and a stray dog wiser than most humans he finally gets the chance.  His heartfelt declaration made me swoon and made me like him even more.  Unlike Maribel's wishy-washyness, Kirk knew exactly what he wanted and made the most of his opportunity to claim Maribel who was still uncertain about her future with her fiancee. The scene involving his emotional declaration was both sweet and sexy and left me frustrated at first.

Only through a life and death situation that comes out of nowhere towards the very end of the story does Maribel finally understand which of the men in her life truly cares for her and her son and a quickly achieved HEA can result.  Kirk's fellow firefighters were a delightful addition to this story!  Their playful banter with Kirk was realistic and charming and has me excited for their individual stories to be told.  Maribel's son Pete was a wonderful addition too with great insight for one so young and who helped add a fairytale feel to the story with his innocent and magical outlook on life. These secondary characters were constantly working to help Kirk and Maribel get their HEA and without their intervention this book wouldn't have had the satisfying ending that it did.

Fully fleshed-out characters, playful and realistic friendly banter, and a heartfelt declaration of love lead to an entertaining and satisfying story.  The talent that Ms. Bernard shows here gives me high hopes for the rest of the series.  So bring on those sexy firefighters!

My rating for this is a B.

*I received this book from Avon in exchange for my honest opinion.