Starting over isn’t easy, but sometimes you have to walk through fire to find your hero.
Emergency Medical Technician, Renee Nash finally said I do, only to have all her dreams destroyed in an instant when her firefighter husband is killed on their wedding night. Her only consolation is that he died doing what he loved. However, she never expected it would her life he would have to save and that … save and that he would have to pay the ultimate price. And now she’s forced to rebuild her entire world from scratch.
Months later, she still struggles to set foot in Station 29 where she worked side-by-side with her late husband, especially when the new fireman is a cocky son-of-bitch with an apparent death wish.
No one would ever describe Fletcher Cain as anything other than rough around the edges and he liked it. He did what he could to live up to his reputation as being a rebel without a cause for the sole purpose of keeping people at a safe distance. He’d spent his entire life protecting his heart and soul from the brutality the love and loss. At the end of the day, he was damn good at his job, and the people he worked with knew it. He always had the respect of his team, no matter what station house he ended up at, but he could never quite make them family and that made him an outcast wherever he went.
But for whatever reason, the beautiful and feisty Renee Nash not only couldn’t stand him, she made his life a living hell and will stop at nothing to have him fired.
He’s bound and determined to show her he’s not the enemy, however, he never thought she’d be the one helping to open his heart, and he’d be the one teaching her how to love again.
more
I love the story of Renee and Fletcher. Renee believes if she loves, they will die. Fletcher just flat out refuses to open his heart again. They go through adjustments to work together. The characters are wonderful. They are funny, sexy, and have emotional scars. Real People. A well-written plot. I recommend the story and the series.
Renee and Fletcher have both experienced loss. They now need to learn to trust. Through misunderstandings, disagreements, butting heads at work, and finally being honest with each other about theirs past pain, they develop a fragile relationship until Renee again doesn’t trust Fletcher after a disagreement while delivering a baby. After more hurt and compromise, plus a surprise, they figure out how to have an HEA. Great characters, some continue from the previous books in the series. Great series and relatable characters. Can be read as a stand alone. Jen Talty has several series and I’ve read most of them. Definitely recommended.
Jen Talty did an excellent job telling this story. An emotional read that makes you wanna laugh, cry, yell, and scream for all the wrongs that have been done.
I would definitely recommend reading this book.
I was given an advanced reader copy and I voluntarily leave this review.
I will be honest it took me a little to warm up to Renee (pun not intended lol) but the more I got to know her the more I got her and why she is the way she is, I still felt sorry for Fletcher to having to deal with her wrath especially as no one knew he had a wounded heart as well. This is a great story about learning to love again as well as what family really means (whether blood or not) so get comfy and enjoy it!
First let me say I am a Jen Talty fan I haven’t read a book of hers that I haven’t loved and this is a great addition to the first responder series Now the negative I really didn’t like Renee at all she did grow on me a little but there was just something about her that set my teeth on edge but and this is a big but I still enjoyed the story immensely
Renee Nash couldn’t get over the death of her husband on her wedding night and the person she blames is Fletcher Cain he is the fire fighter that allowed her husband to enter the hotel they where staying in to rescue her even though he had no equipment a decision that led to his death. Now Fletcher has come to her home station 29 and she is expected to work with him in fact her boss has put them in an ambulance together. Fletcher has his own issues no way will he ever trust a woman when his wife cheated on him. Can two people with so much baggage work together or will they kill one another and what will happen when passion starts to flare between them are they the salvation that they both need.
I actually found this installment smile-worthy. Both Renee and Fletcher are both flawed but together they seem to fill those flaws so together they are one. There are ups and downs. You do not need to read the other installments to understand this one, however, it does add to the overall story. These are really “novellas” and can be read rather quickly. Kick up your feet and spend some time in the many worlds of Jen Talty.
I received an Advance Copy for an honest review.
First Responder books are some of my favorites and Jen Talty is now one of my go to authors for them.
In this book, Renee has returned to work after losing her husband Devon on their wedding night. It was difficult coming back to Station 29 where they’d worked together and it’s also filled with her family. Now they’ve hired Fletcher Cain, she believes he’s the reason Devon died in the fire that night. Although she doesn’t remember it she was unconscious when they got her out of the blazing hotel. She’s only read the reports on the fire.
Fletcher Cain was hired full time at Station 29 because he’s well rounded with his training, EMT, Paramedic, and Ladder. They can put him where he’s needed on any given shift. Unfortunately for him they’ve put him on the Ambulance with Renee and she has been particularly rude and harsh.
Now it’s been decided that they would go to the fire expo and do a class as well as run the booth. Before that happens Fletcher is determined to clear the air between them.
Renee wasn’t sure why she told Fletcher the things she hadn’t even told her family, perhaps it was the alcohol. At least he told her everything about the night of the fire and now maybe they can move forward at least as friends.
Things do start to heat up between these two, but neither wants to commit. There’s more to Renee’s story than she’s told so far. I loved seeing Gavin and Charlotte again and for me meeting some of the other folks.
Plenty of ambulance action in this one, and a few more surprises. I laughed, cried and fanned myself to cool from the heat in this one.
I’ve read but have yet to review the other books in this series so I’ll get that done real soon. Just know I can’t wait to see what’s next!
After the Fire: First Responder Series
Jen Talty
After so much tragedy can there be happiness? Renee doesn’t think so, but Fletcher has different thoughts on that subject.
A sweet endearing story of two lost souls who are looking for a solution. Read it without putting it down. Emotional so Kleenex suggested.
This was such an emotional read. I laughed and I cried. After the Fire is a definite must read, I could not put it down. Love, loss, tragedy, friendship and moving on this book is full of everything that you love.
Rene is sure she can never love again after her husband dies on their honeymoon. She thinks she’s a jinx. Fletcher feels the same way after his wife cheats on him. Renee doesn’t like Fletch because she blames him for her husband’s death. They have to work together and she makes it really hard for him. There’s loss and heartache in this book. Well they be able to overcome and find their HEA?
I swung so wildly from one emotion to the next through the course of this book that I’m feeling a little dizzy now. I loved Renee. At the same time, she drove me right out of my mind. Grief can do so many crazy things and hers was kind of out of control. I would have loved to see her release those negative emotions a little earlier in the book. Fletcher’s such perfect book boyfriend material that for a lot of this story I thought he got the short end of the stick, the convenient patsy for Renee’s grief and anger. I loved seeing him chip away at her defences, not realizing that she was sneaking past his own. This pair are pretty adorable together. Almost as sweet as the story’s candy-fluff ending that left me sighing in happiness.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
To partner Renee and Fletcher seems insane – she blames him for her husband’s death; why would she trust him? Trust is a huge feature in this novella; interpersonal trust, professional trust, even familial trust – they’re all needed, and Renee isn’t sure she can offer any of them. This book not only keeps you hooked from the start, it’s got an ending that will light your day. As always, well-written characters move along a story that never loses track. One not to miss.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
Absolutely rocks!!!
Two people who swear they will never love again.
Renee and Devon are both firefighters and just got married. Devon dies in a fire on their honeymoon.
Fletcher finds out his wife was cheating on him and has transferred to Station 29. Renee blames Fletcher on Devon’s death.
Renee and Fletcher have to work together. They finally work through some issues and start a fling.
When the fling turns into more, will one of them run?
Renee has seen so much tragedy not only as a firefighter but in er personal life! Fletcher has also seen his fair share of tragedy! What happens when you throw two broken hearts together? You get an epic love story full of so many different layers! After The Fire was just that! It had me feeling so many emotions while reading and I could not have been happier! Jen hit it out of the park again and I can’t wait to read her next book!
I have come to consider this talented author the “Queen of Novellas”, since she always manages to give the reader not only an engaging plot but also complex characters that are perfect in their imperfections.
Renee Nash, an EMT at her cousin’s firehouse, is a widow that’s still struggling with the death of her fireman husband. She blames the new fireman in their station, Fletcher Cain for his death.
Both are still trying to come to terms with their past, one for the loss of a spouse, the other due to betrayal . As truths and the past are revealed, a sort of relationship develops. But will it stay casual? Will they risk getting hurt? Or will lack of trust keep them apart?
Though Renee was not my favorite character, I did enjoy Fletcher and his struggles.
This was another well written story in this series and one that is truly a standalone.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
There’s a lot of heartache and loss in this book. Renee believes she’s a jinx if she falls in love. After all whoever she loves dies. When Fletcher transferred to her firehouse she wasn’t happy. Afterall he was there when her husband Devon died in the hotel fire where they were. She wanted him gone and made his life hell. But things don’t always turn out the way you want them to. HEA
Renee Nash’s life with her new husband, Devon, ended before it had a chance to begin. She is struggling with feelings over the fire that killed him and the consequences that followed his death. She blames one person, the man who saved her but was unable to save her husband, firefighter Fletcher Cain. When Fletcher shows up as the new paramedic at her fire station, how can she bear to work with him? Fletcher has his own past issues following his divorce and although fiercely attracted to Renee, he won’t take a chance on being hurt again. Renee must come to term with her own misguided guilt over Devon’s death while Fletcher must put his past behind him as well. Can these two wounded souls find a chance at happiness? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author. (by paytonpuppy)