Charlotte Tilson knows all about running away—she’s been doing it most of her life.Running from the memories and pain of the fire that took everything. Now she’s running from her wedding, or she’s hanging from the lattice work outside her father’s church with the stupid gown up over her head, to be more precise.All of Holder County is going to see everything and then some if she can’t find a way … some if she can’t find a way out.
When Lt. Jamie Holder, Holder County’s most eligible firefighting cowboy, sees his best friend tied up in a bundle of lace and dangling from the side of the church, he knows this is his chance to fan the embers of their friendship into a blaze of passion hotter than any prairie wildfire.
He’s all about exit strategies. He’s been the Clyde to her Bonnie for most of their lives. If anyone’s going to help her make her greatest escape yet, it’s going to be him.
Because she was always supposed to be his.
He just has to convince her that adding a few provocative benefits to their friendship won’t ruin anything.
But when Charlotte runs right into the arms of her own personal firefighter, it’s impossible to escape the heat.
She’s spent her whole life running from the blazes he dives headfirst into.
This time, their legendary escape rubs the town the wrong way.
Will their white-hot love survive when someone else is holding the match?
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WOW! That was hotter than a five alarm fire. Jamie Holder is dirty talking cowboy yumminess. Since the day he met Charlie at 12 years old he has always been her protector and hero. He is swoon worthy. I’m so empathetic towards Charlie and her bravery in working on her fear of lose. I adore Jamie and Charlie individually and together. The supporting characters were all interesting. I love the Holders and it was a pleasant surprise to have cameos from my beloved Camdens. I hope that Becca gets her own story. If this is your first Jillian Neal book don’t stop here go read all you can afford to read. Jillian you are the best. Until next time y’all happy reading.
A funny sexy realistic read!
Best friends since grade school Jamie and Charlie overcome some very hard obstacles to be together, Charlie most of all. Absolutely loved this book. Definitely recommend can’t wait for more from Holder County.
ARC for honest review with no compensation
Standing Outside the Fire is book 2 in the Holder County series by Jillian Neal and OMG what an amazing read!
Jamie and Charlie have been best friends since grade school sharing all…family drama, achievements, friends, relationships with other people and keeping their feelings for each other under wraps. Now that Charlie is set to marry another Jamie realizes he has missed his chance to tell Charlie how he feels or has he … what happens next will keep you turning pages to see what happens around the next corner!
Laughter, fears, twists, turns, tears, sexy times, and so much emotion! Thank you Ms. Neal for another awesome well written read! Deserves more than 5 stars!
Humor, drama, suspense, romance, family, and love…this book has all these things and more. Jamie and Charlie’s best friends to lovers’ romance is absolutely perfect!
They have known each other and basically have been the center of each other’s universe since they met in grade school. Best friends through family drama, achievements, pitfalls, Charlie’s few relationships and Jamie’s revolving door of women yet their deep bond has survived it all.
There has always been an undercurrent of awareness and attraction between them but neither has acted on it and now it is too late. Jamie’s world has come crashing down when Charlie is set to marry another…he lost his last chance to come clean about his feelings. However, regardless of how he feels, he is not going to let her down. He will pick himself up and be there for her still as her best friend. But when he arrives at the church for the ceremony and sees the bride hanging from the second story latticework, stuck, with her dress over her head and her assets on display sneaking out of her own wedding he realizes all might not be lost after all so of course, he grabs his ladder and swoops in to rescue the damsel in distress…after he stops laughing, of course. Charlie’s escape could be his second chance and her new happy ever after once they put all their cards on the table, which includes Charlie opening up about her past and her painful secret and accepting his chosen profession. Jamie definitely has his work cut out for him to get her to open up and explore what is between them and show her how good it could be.
There is so much to enjoy about this book. The tight-knit family dynamics, witty banter, secrets shared, emotions exposed, endearing friends and family and major sexy times will hold you captive and keep you flipping the pages. The charming characters alone will pull you in but add in all the rest along with Charlie’s childhood trauma and her fear of fire, Jamie’s job as a firefighter as well as her angry father and humiliated ex and some suspenseful twists and surprises and you have a down to earth, relatable, emotional read that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for their happy ever after.
*I received an arc of this book from the author and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Love this Second Chance Romance – It’s on Fire!!
Jamie and Charlie (Charlotte) have been best friends since they were twelve and Charlie’s family moved to the area. Jamie is sick. He drank himself into a stupor last night as today he must attend Charlie’s wedding. Running late as he drives up, he sees his best friend needs a rescue.
These two have many reasons they cannot make a life together but being apart makes them miserable. When they realize what they almost lost – can they find a way to add romance to their best friend status?? Everyone tells them “finally” and “don’t mess up”. But the challenges are still there.
Absolutely love this story. A journey of two people who are made for each other; except…
You will fall in love with these characters and be highly entertained.
**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**
Climbing out the church window to avoid walking down the aisle leaves Charlie on the path to freedom, thank goodness it is her best friend and hot/hunky firefighter that whisks her away. But while their friendship has always been a given it is not until true emotions are revealed can they take the relationship in a different direction. Can Charlie get past the tragedy from her past and fight her fear of fires? Or wil Jamie’s job be the make or break of the friends turned lovers? Once again Jillian Neal takes the reader on an adventure that shows the honest meaning of friendship and family. With each chapter the reader falls in love with the characters and wants them to succeed while at the same time understands the hurdles they need to cross. An emotional journey that just adds so much more to the Holder County Series. Cannot wait for more.