“9-1-1. What is your emergency?” Former army officer Ryan Davis doesn’t relish the high-profile role of town sheriff, but when duty calls, he responds. Even if it means helping animal rescuer Zoey Castillo find her missing dog. When Ryan asks her out, Zoey is wary of a relationship in the spotlight–especially given her past. If the sheriff wants to date her, he’ll have to prove that he’s as … he’s as good a bet as man’s best friend.
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Reluctant Hometown Hero, book 2 of the Wildfire Ridge series by Heatherly Bell is a wonderful book about a small-town romance with a bit of heat and lots of hearts. The chemistry between Sheriff Ryan Davis, former army officer, and Zoey Castillo, animal lover who fosters dogs, creates so much heat, I’m surprised the pages didn’t go up in smoke, especially the scene at the car wash. Sizzling Hot! No wonder because Zoey harbors a huge crush on Ryan for years, and it isn’t long until Ryan notices his own attraction to Zoey.
The story begins with Zoey finding her beloved Great Dane went missing right out from her back yard. She dials 9-1-1, and Ryan comes on the scene. Before their romance starts off, Zoey has suffered from abandonment issues since her mother left her with her aunt & uncle to pursue a career; therefore, Ryan must prove he’s as good a bet as man’s best friend. The ending has taken me by surprise, but all well turns out extremely well. Heatherly Bell has done a fine job creating a sweet, humorous story in Reluctant Hometown Hero.
I loved the first book in this series. I really liked the snippets we were given about Ryan and Zoey. I liked Ryan and his backstory and couldn’t wait to sit down with this book…but…once I began Reluctant Hometown Hero; I didn’t like Zoey very much.
Don’t get me wrong, the book was great, I just didn’t care for Zoey’s attitude. She was charming as the owner of the local pet store. Her heart is fabulous for the animals she fosters, but her attitude when one of the animals she fosters runs away to his owner, she then sees the animal is in distress when she brings him back, but keeps looking for ways to keep that animal…Nope…didn’t care for that part of her personality!
Ryan goes above and beyond, and Zoey is redeemed when she ‘sees the light’ about the animal, her relationships, and her need to be in control. Zoey and Ryan’s romance is cute and they get their HEA.
I enjoy Ms. Bell’s writing style and always look forward to new books written by her. Wildfire Ridge is a great series, and just because I didn’t like one character, doesn’t mean I won’t still be a fan!!
The book is a small town romantic comedy read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable romance read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zoey and Ryan have known each other forever. Zoey has had a crush on him but she was his sisters best friend. When he returned from the service and became sheriff he swore to help everyone even Zoey. Zoeys dog is missing but she doesn’t want to bother the sheriff with her problem he’s much too busy. But he takes on the smaller cases to fre up the deputy’s for the more important cases. So she is stuck with him.
Reluctant Hometown Hero is exactly what you think a small town romance should be. Sweet with low angst, a bit of heat and lots of heart. Zoey has had a crush on Ryan forever but she thinks that he only sees her as his younger sister’s best friend. Ryan has had his eye on Zoey for awhile but has been very careful around her since she’s his sisters friend. One thing leads to another and he ends up being Zoey’s date to a party and that’s when things finally change in their relationship. As they spend more time together Zoey learns about Ryan’s reasons for not wanting to be in the town’s spotlight and he learns her reasons as well. These two have much more in common than either one realized. Reluctant Hometown Hero was a really sweet story and I haven’t read the first book in the series but I had no trouble following the characters relationships. It was told from dual POV and is a great book to spend a couple of lazy afternoons reading.
I just love this author.
This story was wonderful, it was a feel-good read.
I loved the characters and their chemistry together.
The plot was engaging and I couldn’t put it down.
I can hardly wait for the next book.
Zoey has had a secret crush on fer best friend’s older brother for a long tine It was funny how someone stealing her dog brought Ryan into her life. This book was interesting because Zoey was raised by her aunt and uncle after her father died and her mom left to pursue a career. Zoey’s strong issues of abandonment led her to adopt animals that she could love and that would not abandon her.
I enjoyed the romance between Zoey and Ryan because they seemed really good for each other. This book also had some mysteries to solve which added to the story and made it more interesting. I am so glad there was an epilogue. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Sheriff Ryan doesn’t feel like a hero and he’s tired of everyone calling him one! Zoey has a huge crush on her best friend’s brother but believes he could never reciprocate. When Zoey’s foster dog is stolen, Ryan is on the case but as they follow the clues, they find themselves growing closer than ever before.
I loved these characters!! Zoey was a heroine that you really, really, really wanted to find her HEA. Great secondary characters and storyline. Looking forward to the next book in this series!!
This was a great book in the Wildfire Ridge series. I loved Ryan and Zoey. They were so great together. I will say after reading the first book in the series I was super excited for Ryan’s book. And I was not disappointed. Zoey was great and had had a crush on Ryan for the longest time. Ryan and Zoey were quite the hot couple and had my kindle smoldering when they got together! I liked that when an issue popped up in their relationship and it was one that had to be worked through, it actually made Zoey open her eyes and realize how she was closing herself off to others.
I loved that in this book we got a little more of Jill and Sam from the first book and some Carly and Levi. I love this series and can’t wait for the last one.
enjoyed this book setting in a small town . the story between Ryan and Zoey seems like something that can actually happen
Ryan is a sheriff and the Zoey is an animal lover who rescues all. She has been idealizing him since teenage years her best friend is Ryans sister .
they too end up together and there chemistry is something else. Love the happy ending
thank you for booksprout for the arc of this book
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This book involves two down-to-earth, loving characters who are compassionate and kind-hearted. Even so, they sometimes show some less-than-stellar behaviors which makes them very realistic. This is a part of the story that I like because it makes them easy to relate to.
Ryan Davies and Zoey Castillo have known each other most of their lives. Zoey is an animal lover who fosters dogs while she searches for the correct home for each one. Zoey has always had a crush on Ryan, but he never saw her that way.
Ryan is a retired army officer. When he returns to his hometown, he is considered a hero. Therefore, they elect him as the sheriff of their town. Lately, Ryan has begun to notice Zoey as an attractive woman and not just his sister’s best friend.
Zoey and Ryan have great chemistry. They are friends with an easy fun-loving chemistry. The couple work together to find one of Zoey’s foster dogs that had run away from her while they discover their feelings for each other.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though there are some obstacles to the romance, the hero and heroine respect always respect each other and continue to enjoy each other’s company.
This is another wonderful story in the Wildfire Ridge series.
This time, our main characters are Ryan Davis and Zoey Castillo.
Ryan, a decorated Army officer, is back in his home after a sting as a detective in Oakland. Ready to leave the big city and all the crimes that destroyed lives, he reluctantly returned to become the sheriff.
Zoey, manages the pet store owned by the relatives that raised her and is a rescuer of all abandoned animals. She has always had a crush on the big brother of her best friend Jill.
A relationship blossoms, but both have obstacles to overcome. One doesn’t feel he can ever give his heart, while the other one, fears giving her heart since the people that should have loved her unconditionally abandoned her.
It was a story about discovering oneself. About taking a risk in life and in love. Knowing that though life is ever changing, and once you find the person that “gets” you and completes you, hold on to them and give them your love.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.