A woman who’s forced into starting over finds herself attracted to her brother’s best friend, who just so happens to be living next door to her in this fun and flirty romance. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Firecracker by Kelly Jamieson, along with my impressions of it, then add this contemporary romance to your bookshelf.
Arden Lennox’s charmed life may be in pieces, but she’d sooner get her hoohaw bleached than move back in with her parents. She’s no longer the prom-queen princess married to the football star. She’s a broke, penniless widow, and it’s time she stood on her own two feet.An under- construction unit in a quaint Chicago brownstone is cheap (free), but it comes with an unexpected surprise. Tyler Ramirez, her brother’s gawky high school best friend, is now a smoking hot firefighter who spends most of his spare time in her unit hammering, drilling, and screwing. Usually with his shirt off—a temptation she has no intention of indulging.
Tyler can’t believe his high school crush is living right across the hall, or how fast his fierce lust for her comes blazing back. She’s still gorgeous—a little sadder, a little quieter, but still with the amazing smile and sweet body that fueled his awkward teenage fantasies.
Despite her best intentions, Arden can’t resist grown up Tyler but the sparks between them send her into full retreat. And by the time she realizes the heat between them could last a lifetime, it could be too late to tell him...
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a fan of second chance romances I found much to like about this contemporary tale. With a deliciously charming and sexy firefighter and a strong-willed heroine who’s starting over, readers will find a couple worth rooting for in a romance that’s sizzling and sweet. Surrounding this likable main couple was a cast of secondary characters, a group of friends who lend a familial vibe to the story and who have me wanting to know more about them.
Arden Lennox was the popular girl in high school, a smart cheerleader who dated the quarterback and married him after they graduated. Their early years together were picture perfect, an illusion that she slowly started to see. With his suicide though she’s left with nothing and must start over. Loaded down with guilt regarding the truth about her marriage and her husband’s secrets, Arden has no interest in opening her heart. She just wants to get her life together. Moving to her brother’s apartment gives her the perfect chance to start over, surrounded by people who care about her and step in whenever she needs something. Arden’s leery of asking for help though and is determined to stand on her own which I applaud as she became more empowered throughout the story. Reuniting with her brother’s best friend throws her for a loop as he’s no longer the geeky high schooler she once knew. He’s now a strong and sexy firefighter who she’s more than happy to start a casual connection with, until things take a more serious turn. Arden’s clearly been bruised by fate at the start of the story. She seems a bit numb and uncertain...until she meets Tyler, who awakens her heart and soul to HEA.
Tyler Ramirez was the proverbial high school geek. He was the kind of teen who was smart, dorky, and unmemorable. Arden was clearly out of his league back then which made him feel unrequited love for her with feelings that never went away. With her moving in next door he finally gets another chance to claim her, if only he can keep his protective instincts from becoming too much for her. Tyler’s a decadently delightful hero, sweet and sexy with his words and deeds. He agrees to a casual relationship with Arden at first but is determined to make things more permanent the longer they’re together. Tyler’s the perfect book boyfriend as he’s caring and supportive. He has a sad history too that made me ache for him and explained why he’s so protective.
Tyler and Arden are a crackling couple with a connection that teemed with sexual tension before becoming even hotter. Arden became stronger as the story progressed, started to accept the truth about her husband and their life together so she could move on. I was sometimes frustrated by her though as it took her way too long to admit how good Tyler was for her. Parts of their storyline were a bit obvious too but as a whole this was an entertaining story with an appealing main couple and an equally likable cast of secondary characters. Mila and Jamie definitely stood out for me, and with a connection that scorches, I hope to see their story told soon. Readers will find this a fun and flirty read of second chances in a romance that feels familiar at times but still satisfies by the turn of the final page.
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 romance novels and novellas.
Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels...and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season!
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