“A poignant, sexy and satisfying romance featuring likeable, complex characters whose intense emotional connection leaps off the page.” —All About Romance When their career paths bring two high school sweethearts together again, the forest isn’t the only thing ablaze… he’s assigned to an arson investigation in Central Oregon—the place he left his broken heart twenty years ago—he’s afraid of being burned all over again.
Tucker Ryland had planned to join his first love, Luis, in LA after high school graduation, but life got in the way. Now a fire management expert and a divorced father of teen twins, Tucker’s thrown for a loop when he finds himself working side by side with his Luis, now all grown up and more intriguing than ever.
Though consumed by a grueling fire season and family responsibilities, the two men discover their bond has never truly broken. Tentative kisses turn to passionate nights. But smoking sheets aside, old hurts and new truths stand in the way of this time being the start of forever.
Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts.
Hotshots
Book 1: Burn Zone
Book 2: High Heat
Book 3: Feel the Fire
Book 4: Up in Smoke
Also by Annabeth Albert:
Out of Uniform
Book 1: Off Base
Book 2: At Attention
Book 3: On Point
Book 4: Wheels Up
Book 5: Squared Away
Book 6: Tight Quarters
Book 7: Rough Terrain
more
A second chance romance with 2 sexy firefighters who are not only all grown up, but they actually communicate as well. I’m not a big fan of miscommunication as the catalyst for angst in a romance, and second chances rely on it a little too often. Needless to say, this one was refreshing. It was actually surprisingly low on the angst scale while still maintaining the excitement and danger that goes along with the theme of this series. I really liked Luis and Tucker, and they work so well together. Family is another important part of this one with Tucker’s twin teenage boys and his comfortable relationship with his ex-wife, which was one of my favorite elements in this story. Of course, we get plenty of heat and chemistry with Luis and Tucker, and they’re so easy to root for. What it comes down to is the story has a good pace, the couple is likable, the romance is sweet and steamy. It’s entertaining and engaging and leaves you with a smile. I’ve enjoyed each couple in this series, this one included, and it’s one more reason Annabeth Albert has become an auto-read for me.
3.5 Stars
I’m kinda half and half with this book. I enjoyed it. But I didn’t fully enjoy it. Tucker’s life was way more complicated than Luis’s. At times I felt Tucker’s life was a little much. The twins, his ex-wife was just a bit too much for me.
The kids were getting ready to graduate high school. Picking what college to go to. One son was confused about what he wanted to do (girlfriend trouble). Heidi ( the ex-wife) I felt was still up in Tucker’s business. 2 days a week dinners at her house is a lot. I get they are friends. But, I just thought it was a lot.
I needed more from Luis and Tucker. More of their time when they were younger. Because I just couldn’t really get past Tucker getting married and having kids with a woman.
Overall, this was a ok read. I just wanted a little more from them. And not a lot of distractions from everything else. And 2 big things went on in this book. It was pretty much the main focus of it. It wasn’t even discussed. The outcome of those events wasn’t fully addressed. Which was weird.
I would’ve liked to know how it all went down.
*ARC provided by HARLEQUIN – Carina Press via Netgalley*
3.5 stars
Feel the Fire marks another good book in the Hotshots series. I really enjoy the original premise and love that the characters are pretty different from the average male hero in romances, especially within MM romances. Unfortunately for Feel the Fire, it followed High Heat, which really impressed me and so this third standalone had a lot to live up to.
I did like that Feel the Fire featured two older main characters. I also enjoyed the second chance romance angle with a past love returning to his hometown, and I appreciated that Tucker maintains a great relationship with his ex-wife. In general, the romance between Tucker and Luis was solid, it just never excited me. In a similar vein, the other books that make up the Hotshots series contain a subplot that involves firefighting and it provides a great hook that sets it apart from other romances. Feel the Fire had that, but the arson investigation that brought Luis back to town seemed to fizzle out as soon as it came to a head, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit underwhelmed. Overall, I enjoyed Feel the Fire and didn’t have any second thoughts about finishing this book, continuing the series, or even rereading it, I just happened to love the second book of the series more.
*eARC received via Netgalley. The author and publisher had no influence over this review*
FEEL THE FIRE is the third book in the Hotshots series and this one deals with second-chance romance. Back when they were teenagers, Luis and Tucker thought they’d be together forever… until life got in the way.
This is a character-driven slow-burn of a book in which Tucker and Luis rediscover their attraction to each other and figure out just what, if anything, they can do going forward.
I loved this one! The guys from the other books play cameo roles in here too but the focus is mainly on Tucker and Luis. Both of them led very different lives to the ones they had imagined and it’s all about their reconnection and hopeful possibilities.
I also love reading about the different jobs that are available and seeing what impact each role has. And there is also Luis’ role of being the single man who can travel, plus Tucker’s role as husband (ex), father, and boyfriend. There is definitely something for everyone here and I personally highly recommend it.
The only downside I can think of is you never found out who the arsonist was!
This is the second book I’ve read by Annabeth Albert and the second book in this series. After reading High Heat, which is book two in the series, I was all aboard and couldn’t wait to read this book!
For the most part, it didn’t disappoint. However, I’ll admit I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did High Heat. The characters just didn’t have the same heart, but then again, I fell pretty hard for the wonderful characters in High Heat. It was understandably difficult to one-up those beauties.
I definitely have a thing for second chances romances, though, so despite not hitting exactly as I’d hoped, I still absolutely adored this story. And, more than likely, most readers will love this. I truly believe it was a bit of personal preference mixed with high expectations that made my reaction a tad lackluster. But the resentment and chemistry that literally crackles off the page from the get-go grabbed my attention and kept me reading.
Annabeth Albert has definitely found a fan in me, and in a way, my slight disappointment in this story says a lot about just how much I loved her previous book. It speaks to her skill that I loved those characters so much I still remembered them so vividly that they served as an unexpected comparison model.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book, and I apologize for the random ramblings of this review. I’m definitely not in my reviewer headspace right now.
3.75 stars–FEEL THE FIRE is the third instalment in Annabeth Albert’s contemporary, adult HOTSHOTS erotic, MM, romance series focusing on first responders and firefighters. This is fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera, and firefighter Tucker Ryland. FEEL THE FIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: FEEL THE FIRE is a M/M romance story line with graphic, sexual scenarios.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Luis and Tucker) using present day and memories from the past, FEEL THE FIRE follows the rebuilding relationship between high-school sweethearts fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera, and firefighter Tucker Ryland. Close to twenty years earlier Luis’ family moved to LA California leaving a heart broken Tucker behind. With promises of a future together that never came to fruition Tucker and Luis went on with their lives but always remembered the loss of first love. With a suspected arsonist in Central Oregon, Luis Riviera is tasked with returning to his home town, remembering the boy now man he could never forget. Enter thirty five year old Tucker Ryland. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Tucker and Luis, and the potential fall-out as Luis’ time in Oregon comes to a close.
Tucker Ryland had always intended to follow Luis to California but a one-night stand resulted in Tucker becoming a young father to twin boys. A seven year marriage ensued but Tucker remains on friendly terms with the mother of his sons. Coming out of the proverbial closet has been a struggle for Tucker Ryland but he calls himself a demisexual, and will only enter into a sexual relationship with someone he has close emotional connection. Luis Riviera has loved and lost twice-the first time with Tucker, and the second time with a fellow firefighter but Luis’ reconnection with Tucker gave Luis another chance at a happily ever after but hundreds of miles, and family commitments meant someone or both had to make a sacrifice or compromise.
The relationship between Luis and Tucker is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that was splintered when Luis’ family moved while the boys were still in high school. Both Luis and Tucker wanted to be firefighters, and each having succeeded at their plans, it was now time to take the next step towards their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Tucker’s seventeen year old twin boys Walker and Wade, as well as his ex-wife Heidi, and her husband Isaac. We are reintroduced to Lincoln Reed and Jacob Hartman (Burn Zone #1), Garrick Nelson and Rain Fisher (High Heat #2); fire captain Fred, and his assistant Christine.
FEEL THE FIRE is a story of family and friendships; love and loss; second chances and moving forward. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are energetic and charismatic.
4.5 Stars
The third book in Hotshots and probably my favorite so far. Tucker and Luis are great characters who are support by a wonderful support cast around them. I enjoyed the story and the characters and look to read more books like this and by this author.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
3.5 STARS
Feel the Fire is the third installment in the Hotshots series. It can be read as a standalone without issue.
Tucker and Luis were best friends growing up. Tucker is the Luis knew he was gay when he was younger. They shared a lot of their firsts together and made plans for the future together until Tucker’s dad had a heart attack pausing any plans they had. Having anger and resentment towards each other they fell out of contact years before. Both working in the fire industry Luis isn’t prepared to be loaned out to his hometown company. The last place he wants to be is anywhere near Tucker.
Tucker is taken aback when Luis walks into the office and not shocked when he is paired with Luis to bring him up to speed on the current fires. Knowing they have to talk about the past is a weight on his shoulders. After they discuss the past and the friendship that meant so much to both of them they get to know each other as adults.
Feel the Fire was a slow burn second chance romance read. They were clearly perfect for each other but I just didn’t feel the connection like I wanted to. I was routing for them but it just missed the mark with me. I wish the arson had more of a suspenseful ending it was sort of glossed over after being such a big part of the plot. Don’t get me wrong it was a good read but was lacking in some areas, definitely not my favorite of the series.
Sincere, steamy, and sweet!
Feel the Fire is a passionate, heartfelt, second-chance romance that features the dependable, loving Tucker, and the caring, hunky Luis as they navigate a relationship that includes a high school romance that reluctantly ended due to relocation, smouldering tension, undeniable attraction, and two teenage twin sons.
The writing is effortless and fluid. The characters are supportive, genuine, and endearing. And the plot is a heartwarming combination of family, friendship, heartbreak, angst, parenthood, tender moments, and unconditional love.
Overall, Feel the Fire is another emotional, uplifting, satisfying tale by Albert that is the perfect addition to what is quickly becoming, in my opinion, a smoking-hot series.
This series as a whole is so emotionally moving. This story is no exception. The first love past of Tucker and Luis is both sweet and heartbreaking. I started out thinking I would be able to point the finger at one of them for things not working out in their teen years, only to find my sympathies were with both of the men. Annabeth Albert did a beautiful job of transitioning between the past and the present so the reader truly understands what happened while also feeling the depth of the emotions between all of the players.
Having the added element of Tucker having twin teenage boys (the same age he and Luis were when they were initially separated) brings a whole other layer to this story. I went into the book with so many questions about Tucker. Is he closeted? What is his sexual orientation? Does his ex-wife know? How will his kids react to Luis? Seriously, so many questions! And the author does an amazing job of answering all of these questions in a thoughtful way that keeps the flow of the story moving while also having me fall more and more in love with these two as a couple.
To get back to the sexual orientation question for a moment…this series has really helped me to understand how wide that spectrum truly is. I was never one to think all people fit into one neat and tidy category. In fact, I have always thought most people do not. But I never really looked into all the different classifications. The author has done an amazing job of educating me as this story has progressed, so I can only imagine that I’m not the only one who is learning a lot about what sexual orientation is and the many layers it can entail. This is something I appreciate more than I’m able to express in this one little paragraph.
Back to the story. The chemistry is very obvious between these two. I love how naïve and innocent Tucker is, and how Luis never makes him feel bad for his lack of knowledge and experience. They are absolutely charming together. And Luis somehow seamlessly fits into Tucker’s family; his twin boys, ex-wife, ex-wife’s current husband and daughter, all enjoy Luis’ company and encourage the couple to spend more time together. Luis is brilliant with the twins and knows when to hold back and when to speak up. (Believe me, the restraint all of the adults use in this story in relation to one of the twin’s girlfriends is herculean.)
As a mom, when things were coming to a head in this book, I couldn’t help but look at things through the lens of a parent. This meant that there were times Luis was not my favorite person. Of course, his rationalizations and reasons for things he feels and says make sense. And Tucker doesn’t always express things in a tactful way. Don’t get too frustrated with them. The author helps us see the decisions Tucker and Luis make are really for the best for everyone involved.
I know it’s selfish of me, but I really don’t want to see this series end. I hope the author has many more stories in her head waiting to be told.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Second chance romance FTW!
I’ve really been enjoying Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series, and her latest, Feel the Fire , did not disappoint! Luis and Tucker were childhood best friends, then something more, then planning for a possible future (always a bit up in the air, given their age and a likely lack of support from Tucker’s family)…when Luis had to move. Long distance didn’t work, life happened, and now it feels like it’s a lifetime later when they’re thrown together again, this time for work. But they’re adults, right? They can just be respectful coworkers, right?
Riiight.
Even though it was also as hot as heck, I really appreciated how adult this romance was. Spending time with Tucker’s coworkers (former and future–I hope!–characters in the series) helped Luis to overcome much of the prejudice he had toward the area from growing up there. Tucker’s twin boys were really accepting of their dad’s new relationship, and even before the story began the three of them joined his ex-wife, her new husband, and their daughter for weekly dinners. It was just wonderful to spend time with people who yes, may have been hurt and/or hurt each other in the past but were able to get past it all and just enjoy their relationships.
Also–I mentioned that Tucker and Luis were super hot together? Yes? 😉
Bring on the next firefighter couple; I’m ready!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Stars
Feel the Fire is the third installment in the Hotshots series. While connected via the setting and the cast of characters, this novel can easily be read as a standalone or out of series order, with absolutely no confusion.
Tucker and Luis were best friends growing up, a deep connection that turned to a budding first love. When Luis’ family relocates back to California during the last year of high school, the boys try very hard to keep in touch. Hurt feelings, resentment, distance, and miscommunication end their friendship…
Fast-forward nearly two decades later, Tucker and Luis are surprisingly in the same line of work. Luis is sent from California to help Tucker’s crew solve a series of arsonist wild fires, putting them into each other’s orbit for a few weeks.
In a beautiful mix of slow-burn, second chance romance, hurt-comfort, and intense connection, Tucker and Luis navigate a relationship they believe is destined to fail in the same epic fashion it did two decades ago, especially with a pair of teen twins, an ex and her family, and a regal cat.
A wholesome family-oriented romance, with realistic issues faced by long-distanced couples, faced both for grown adults and teens ready to embark on a new path.
To be honest, where I struggled is that I felt the book was longer than necessary, which had my interest waning. While I adore slow-burn and the angst of building tension, the pacing dragged at a few points.
Another issue I had was the fact that I did feel as if Luis was slightly stubborn and selfish when it came to Tucker’s needs, from both the past and the present, where he learned nothing from the past, doing it yet again. There was no compromising, where both lose and gain. I didn’t feel Tucker made the choice the character was written to make, but more like the author told the reader to just roll with it. It felt too much as if “If you love me, you’d choose me above everything you’ve ever built in your life, including your entire family, just as the ultimatum I issued years ago. But don’t you dare have the audacity to ask the same of me.” Tucker dreamed of a big yard, a garden to tend, yet ended up in a concrete jungle. As I said, that made it feel as if the author revealed an ending that didn’t truly fit the character that was written. A few tweaks along the way would have made this more realistic and befitting of both their needs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this second-chance romance. It was warm and comforting throughout, just what I was looking for. The protagonists and supporting characters were portrayed believably, and I enjoyed the cameos from couples from the earlier books in this series. You always know you’re in good hands with Annabeth Albert, and this was no exception. Oh, and the sex was scorching. 😉 I’ll be eagerly looking forward to whatever comes next!
My thanks to the author for a complimentary advance copy.
I’ve long been a reader of Ms Albert’s books, and I have to say that this is one of her best. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, but this one is, in my opinion, the best so far. It’s not a straightforward enemies to lovers story, it’s so much more. There’s no real angst, just the realisation that teenage love is so much different from that when you’re an adult.
Tucker and Luis are extremely well written, their uncertainty at the beginning of their adult relationship, compared to when they realised their deep love for one another was beautiful to read. I loved how their relationship developed.
It was such an easy book to fall into and read with very loveable characters, especially Tucker’s twin sons. I really would like to hear more about them in future stories.
Great additionto this series. Luis and Tucker’s story is a heartwarming second chance at love. I enjoyed seeing how they get back together after so many years apart. They are just meant to be together and I love going going on their journey. Such a sweet, emotional, steamy and beautiful story.
When fire behavior specialist Luis is loaned out to a fire station in Oregon, it immediately brings about bad memories of the boy who held his heart and broke it. Unfortunately for Luis, that same boy is now a gorgeous man, and working in the same station where Luis is to spend the next few weeks of his life. Can they work together in a professional manner, and keep the past out of their present?
I like this second chance romance. Luis and Tucker are both mature men, not prone to over the top dramatics or fits of temper and the thoughtful way they went about securing their new chance at happiness made for great reading. Their chemistry is hot and the secondary characters are just as great as the leads, especially Tucker’s twins – Walker and Wade. I am definitely looking for more Hotshots now.
Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert is the third in her Hotshots m/m series about firefighters in the Central Oregon area. It stands well alone, although I definitely look forward to catching up with the previous titles in the series.
Luis Riviera and Tucker Ryland were high school sweethearts, although mostly as best friends finding their way since the community wasn’t entirely welcoming to a kid figuring out who he was. But life has a way of not being the direct path, and they haven’t seen each other in nearly two decades, since Luis’s family moved away and their youthful plans to stay together forever met the harsh demands of reality.
When Luis’s next assignment to an arson investigation takes him back to the scene of the crime, so to speak, he is shocked to find himself working next to Tucker, who is now a divorced dad of teen twins.
Annabeth Albert’s Feel the Fire is a page-turning story as Tucker and Luis rediscover the sparks of both their friendship and the passion that flares hot between them. She does a beautiful job as they work through their history and then confront the very real issues that stand between them finding a way to being together now and building a future with each other. Luis and Tucker work hard for their happy ending, and I rooted for them every step of the way. Ms Albert’s writing is elegant and captivating, and her characters and situations really resonate with the challenges that readers face today.
Heartwarming second-chance-at-love romance.
Luis and Tucker first fell in love with each other in high school, but distance, family expectations, and youthful mistakes ripped them apart. When they meet again, quite unexpectedly, years later, their old feelings resurface as if the years apart never happened. There’s some resentment and old hurts to overcome at first, and I loved how the author handled it, bringing the angst while still enabling the reader to empathize with both men’s perspective. Luis and Tucker have matured and need to relearn who the other is. I really liked how those new discoveries helped to fan the flames of their love for each other even higher. Tucker identifies as demisexual, and I loved how he opened up to Luis about that and how considerate Luis was when it came to the physical side of their relationship, never assuming or pushing Tucker in any way. Luis is only in town temporarily, so everything they feel seems doomed from the start. Still, true love can’t be denied, luckily. Figuring out a way forward, a future where they can be happy together and not have either one feel as if they sacrificed too much of their life, isn’t easy. Something’s gotta give. And something did. I think this big stumbling block was resolved in a very satisfactory manner. Tucker’s sons, his ex and her new husband and daughter all feel like part of the family and are wonderful secondary characters in their own right. This can be read as a standalone, but I still really enjoyed the brief scenes with the MC’s from the previous books in the series.
Tucker and Luis have a past, a past that both of them have learned to live with but still think about. They were close in High School, very close, they even had plans to be together after graduation but events in Tucker’s life prevented him from meeting Luis in California as planned.
Now about eighteen years later Tucker is a divorced father of twin boys, Walker and Wade, (Wade seriously needs his story told…I hope you are reading this Annabeth!) and he’s a fire management expert trying to find whoever is setting fires to his forest. Luis is a Fire behavior specialist in California and is being loaned to his home town of Painter’s Ridge, Oregon where he left his first love. Needless to say Luis isn’t thrilled about this assignment but he is heading there regardless because whats the worst that can happen….
I have been a fan of Annabeth Albert’s MM Romances for a while now and I have to say the thing I like most about them is that they are never predictable. We are given a wide range of characters that cover the LGBTQ+ spectrum. In FEEL THE FIRE we have Tucker some people would classify him as Bisexual but that would be incorrect because he is actually demisexual which means he is capable of feeling sexual desire ONLY if he shares a strong emotional bond with the other person, whereas bisexual would me he’s attracted to both men and women and that simply isn’t true in Tuckers case. I love that Annabeth Albert doesn’t shy away from any of the different sexual orientations. She gives us a world that broadens our knowledge and hopefully our minds to all the different types of love that are around us.
I of course recommend this book to lovers of MM Romances as well as those that enjoy second-chance romances. This can be read as a standalone but this is such a great series I recommend reading each of the books.
Happy Reading!!!
Fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera isn’t excited to return to his home town to help deal with a potential arson situation. It’s not the work, it’s the fact he will most certainly run into Tucker Ryland, his best friend who happened to break his heart.
Tucker is just as uncomfortable. Just seeing Luis messes with his mind and heart. There’s a lot of past these two fire fighters will need to work through in order to even have a chance of moving forward to a better place. But some relationship bonds are hard to break, even if there’s some conflicts from the past to resolve. Neither man knows what happened after high school, and twenty years is a long time to hold a grudge.
One of the reasons I love Annabeth Albert M/M books is that there is a good mix of emotion with the physical interactions that eventually develop. In this story, those emotional bonds are strong and it doesn’t take a whole lot for them to come back to life. And from the “heat” standpoint, both men have twenty years of life experience now and know themselves and their needs, which makes for some real sexual heat as Luis and Tucker give into their desires for each other. Wowza!
But there are still issues they will need to resolve if they want a future together — namely, Tucker’s home and family is in Oregon and Luis lives in LA. Will they be able to make it work? That is the question. I adored the fact this was a romance between two mature adults who had were willing to put in the work to figure things out.
I loved Tucker’s family. His boys are pretty amazing, and their family unit is important to the story. The firefighting aspects to the story are well researched and well done, although at times hard to read because of the reality of the current wildfires out west. Some of the arsonist story line is resolved off-page, so the focus is really on the main characters.
Feel the Fire can be read as a standalone in this series.