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 … 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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Arden was living the good life with her footballer husband and a lifestyle to match. Now, she a twenty something year old widow, jobless, homeless and broke, facing the prospect of moving back to Chicago and in with her parents; which quite frankly a fate worse than death! So when her younger brother offers to let her stay free in one of the rental units he owns, Arden jumps at the chance. Tyler, her brother’s long time, equally lanky friend also lives in a unit and spends a lot of time in Arden’s unit fixing it up. Only when Arden gets to Chicago, she discovers that Tyler is not the lanky, awkward friend she remembers, he is a hot as hell firefighter that’s making her sizzle. For his part, Tyler can’t believe that he gets to hang out with his teenage fantasy crush, and she’s making all the right sounds. But Arden is wary of men after her marriage so Tyler has to prove to her the type of man he is. Loved the writing style, great lead characters that you can get behind and root for, witty and engaging secondary characters that make the book a well rounded enjoyable read.
Arden Lennox thought she had the perfect life, then her husband passed away, and the secrets he’d been keeping about their finances came to light. Now she is broke with no where to go, and with no idea how she is going to make it on her own.
That is until her brother calls and offers her a place to stay in the building he owns back in Chicago. She isn’t too keen on taking handouts, but right now the only other choice she has is to move back home with her parents… and that isn’t happening! While she admits the apartment isn’t up to her usual standards, it will do for right now… especially after she discovers the sexy firefighter living across the hall!
Firecracker is a heartwarming tale of second chances, rediscovery, love, and healing. Watching Arden take her new start by both hands and make the most of it was inspiring. She truly lost everything when her husband passed, and not having the security his money provided forced her to look at life a lot differently and appreciate things she may not have before. I also liked watching her find the courage to open her heart to love again, it was easy to get swept up in the beauty of it all. There was a lot to like about this one, the characters were easy to love and connect to, and the story line was brimming with everything necessary to leave the heart happy and the toes curled. Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Firecracker is a sweet, sexy romance that kept me captivated from the beginning to the end and is the perfect combination of a well written book, a fun storyline, and well developed, memorable characters!
Tyler and Arden knew each other growing up but haven’t seen each other in years.
When Arden comes back home after a disastrous marriage, her husbands death and her financial ruin she never expected to find her brothers best friend to be so damn hot now that he is all grown up. Tyler had a crush on Arden growing up but now that she is back he is realizing that she is so much more than he ever could imagine.
Now, fate has thrown them back in each other’s lives and what starts off again as friendship grows as they find the chemistry between them too hard to resist.
This book has all the feels that make a good romance story. It is emotional, swoon worthy with characters that you would love to have as friends and in the end they find their happily ever after!
Hot firefighter alert!!! Attention this book contains a hot fireman, be careful your kindle doesn’t melt!!
*****
Overall rating:
Kindle unlimited: No
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This story was a wonderful slow burn, brother’s best friend to lovers story. Arden has been through major difficulties in her life. She is broke and widowed at a young age. She has to get her life together and she wants to be self sufficient. She chooses to move into a ln apartment her brother and his best friend Tyler are refurbishing.
Tyler is a doll! So patient, so kind and respectful of Arden’s desire to be self sufficient. However, he also wants her to know there are people that will be there for her if she needs them…. he wants to be there for her! He has had a crush on her since they were young kids. Now he’s all grown up and holy hotness he’s fantastic!!
Arden and Tyler grow together through the story. There is no insta here. We get to see Arden’s struggles and watch as she heals. We get to be there as she learns to trust again.
I have enjoyed many of Ms Jamieson’s books and this was no exception! This book is sweet, sexy, has great characters and a wonderful storyline. Grab yours today!!!
Fireracker is a standalone romance about a woman looking to find herself after being widowed, left broke and alone.
Arden finds herself living with an drawn to her brother’s best friend, Tyler. Tyler never thought he’d find himself living with his high-school fantasy girl. As the two of them get reacquainted, they can’t help but feel a connection.
This book is full of amazing characters, not just the two leads. There is also a ton of witty banter, romance, emotion and passion. Arden is trying really hard to ignore what is right in front of her – she’s just not ready. But Tyler is simply too much to resist. He’s swoony, sweet and sexy,
This was my first Kelly Jamieson book, and it won’t be my last!
4 1/2 STARS!
She was his teenage crush, now he’s her fantasy come true! With her latest, Kelly Jamieson brings us a delectable cast of characters in FIRECRACKER. I sincerely hope this becomes a series because I have got to get my hands on Jamie & Mila’s story and man, Liam and Danny would be the bomb too! Great characters, easy connections and so much heat!
Arden is super easy to like as we try to figure out her story. She’s a bit lost and trying to find her way back to herself, and as we get to know the ashes she’s stepping out of, we understand what makes her weary.
Tyler is yummy! He’s kind, he’s sweet, he’s sensitive and man does he know how to rock her world! Watching him fall for the one who starred in his teenage dreams is super sweet … and he just keeps getting better and better throughout the book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a close-knit cast of family and friends and a story line with so much heat it sizzles! I adored this book and hope there’s more to come.
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.
I always love a brothers best friend romance. Usually they are overprotective older brothers who think they know what is best for their younger sister. This one was slightly different though as the brother, Jamie, and his best friend, Tyler, are both younger than Arden. I like Tyler. He was sweet, kind, but a little overprotective; A little more so than Jamie. I was not a huge fan of Arden’s, and I think that is what made this book hard for me. She was trying to be strong and independent. She wanted to prove to herself that she could do things on her own, including make it. However she didn’t understand that sometimes that also meant letting other people help her. She was self loathing and blamed her past issues on herself instead of letting the blame rest where it should have. She was kind of cringe worthy. It took giving up everything she has built for her to realize her stupidity. The side characters were great and I wouldn’t mind reading their stories. Other than Arden’s self loathing I thought this was a pretty decent book. *I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honor and unbiased review.*
Arden is a widow and doesn’t want to live with her parents again. She ends up living in a brownstone that is being rebuilt by Tyler, her brother’s friend. Tyler is a firefighter and works on her apartment. He always had a crush on Arden in school but she never looked at him as he was a geeky awkward teenager. Now he’s grown up and Arden can’t help but begin to notice how hot and sexy he has turned out to be from high school. Arden is broke, standoffish, sad and not looking for a relationship. Will she give Tyler a chance? A good steamy read that I recommend.
When Arden’s husband commits suicide, her world is shattered. She’s carrying a lot of guilt and baggage when she moves into the building her little brother is renovating to start over. So the last thing she expects is to fall for her brother’s best friend, Tyler, who lives across the hall.
There’s a ton of chemistry between the two of them right off the bat. Tyler has been carrying a torch for Arden since they were kids, and he is such a sweetheart as he goes out of his way to make her see him as something more than just her little brother’s best friend. He’s a swoony, sexy firefighter, and the sparks fly between them.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
I loved this story and I loved getting to know the characters. Arden and Tyler are both complex and have changed and grown from their high school days. The attraction between them is sizzling and explosive but the relationship is so much more than that. The story also involves their friends and the support you don’t necessarily realize you need from friends sometimes. It was a nice change to see others supporting them in their journeys.
I just love a good romance that incorporates a set of good friends into the story. I think it brings an extra element of joy to not only see a couple fall in love, but to see that they have a group of friends supporting them. I think it helps draw a reader into their lives like they are one of those friends in the story.
Tyler had so much going for him in this book. He’s a geek turned hottie, and now a firefighter. He has this strong protective need in him based off a traumatic event in his past. He’s has an alpha personality with that gentler side to him. While his overprotectiveness was portrayed as a bit of a flaw in this book, I actually think it was his best feature. Nothing gets me more than a protective male.
Arden was the cheerleader in high school, the popular girl that extended into her adult life until things came crashing down around her. It was a bit of a wake up call for her that caused a need to stand on her own two feet. That got in her way a lot in this story, but I still really liked her character.
All the characters in this book, from the main characters to all the side characters were fun to read about. I enjoyed this book and I hope we get more with the side characters.
3.5 Stars
Arden Lennox was living the life everyone dreamed of. Big house, designer clothes, hosting the parties of all parties. Then in a blink of an eye, it’s all taken away with the death of her husband. Finding herself jobless and homeless, she packs up what little she has left and moves back home to Chicago into the vacant apartment in the building her brother owns. An apartment that is being renovated by her brother’s best friend, Tyler.
Tyler has always had a crush on Arden, but he was afraid she would always see him as her brother’s nerdy best friend. But from the spark of lust in her eyes every time she’s near him tells him otherwise. Tyler and Arden had a lot of chemistry and I loved the dynamics between everyone in the building. The only negative thing I have is Arden drove me a little crazy trying to refuse help and denying her feelings for Tyler, Granted, I realize she went through a hard time and wanted to prove herself, but still. Other than that, I enjoyed this story.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
A good story of a woman returning home to straighten up her life and begin again.
I loved the story and was fully invested in the heroines struggle to discover herself and her fight to live her life as she wished after her superstar football player husband passed away and left her penny less. And she discovers friends and family are essential for her happiness and a certain friend can be the best friend of all.
Firecracker is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance that is filled with heartache, second chances, a lot of emotion, healing, friendship, passion and love. This was such an excellent story that kept me enthralled from the first chapter.
There is definitely more to Arden Lennox than meets the eye and I loved her story. She is such a survivor and so caring but after seeing all her hopes and dreams slowly die over the course of her marriage, she just doesn’t know where to do. Widowed at twenty-eight years old, penniless, emotionally struggling, with feelings of guilt, she has to make a new start. So she heads back home to Chicago, living in an apartment for free that her brother owns, that is under construction.
Tyler Ramirez has always had a crush on his best-friends older sister Arden, the hot, beautiful, cheerleader from high school who married the football star. Now she is back and living in an apartment that he is rehabbing. But Tyler is now a smoking, hot, fireman, nothing like he was in high school. From the very first scene of them connecting you could tell he was just a genuinely good guy. so sweet, selfless and sexy. It was wonderful how he was there for Arden. What they shared was scorchingly, passionate and incredible. But with so much on her plate, will Arden push away the best thing she could ever have.
Loved this story. The secondary characters of friends and their support and care for one another was amazing and I hope that I get to read more about them.
Gifted an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book has some of the most appealing characters I’ve read in a while. I want them all as friends! Arden’s self-absorption stole the fifth star from my review, but that aside, I found the dynamics of the friend group intriguing, I found their kindness to one another, to others, and to the unconventional refreshing, and I think I fell in love with Jamie. Arden and Tyler’s relationship and the book’s ending are so well-drawn, and Tyler, I think, emerges as the hero we’d all like in our lives. I can’t wait to read more of this group of friends. I want Sorcha to have her HEA.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
Okay, so here’s the thing about this story … it’s a lot more than just a romance journey. It’s a journey of self-discovery and second chances and growth for our leading lady, Arden Lennox. She captured my heart from the very beginning and just stayed there. Life can side-swipe you when you least expect it and her life pretty much got hit head on by a semi-truck. But she picked herself up and went looking for her new path. And in looking for that path she meets, or rather notices, our leading man, Tyler Ramirez. She knew him as a boy but he’s a man now and may possibly be the man she holds hands with to walk this next path in her life *shrug* You’ll have to read the story to find out 🙂
This is a *happy sigh* kind of story. It’s not action packed or unpredictable, but it’s full heart and will put a smile on your face. Or maybe that’s just me LOL I should also point out that the secondary characters add not only humor to the story but depth. It’s a great group of family/friends I’m hoping might get their own stories in the future!
Arden Lennox’s life may be in pieces but she is determined to pull herself up by herself. She may be a widow and broke but she will stand on her own 2 feet. And the under-construction unit that she finds to stay is exactly what she needs to help her get on her feet. What she doesn’t expect is for her brother’s nerdy high school best friend to be living across the hall. Or for him to have turned into a smoking hot firefighter and be the one to do a lot of the work on her unit. Tyler can’t believe his high school crush has moved in next door. Or that he would still be so attracted to her. But when their attraction ignites, will Arden run or will she face her fears and find her happiness?
This story is beyond sweet while still being beyond HOT! Arden went through something that no one thinks will happen to them. And loses everything. But she is strong enough to realize that she can and will move on and stand on her own two feet. Tyler is this sweet and caring man who is beyond hot and I loved him! He is the type of person who will give you the shirt off your back if you need it. My only drawback was Arden wouldn’t accept help when she truly needed it. She almost seemed to resent people who offered it to her. And that just bugged me because everyone needs help at some point in their life. Other than that, loved it!
4.5 Stars for Firecracker by Kelly Jamieson.
This story captivated me from the first chapter and there was no putting down until I had read the final line, I needed to know if Tyler and Arden got the HEA they both deserved, I needed to know more about this couple and I wanted more.
Arden Lennox moves across the country to live in her brothers building after her husband committed suicide, she is an emotional reck and is finding it hard to make ends meet so this move seems like the logical thing to do. Tyler Ramirez has been her brothers best friend since childhood and he has secretly crushed on Arden since high school but the timing has never been right could this now be his time…..first he needs to convince her she is allowed to move on and she is allowed to have feelings for another man. Tyler is a very different Tyler to the one Arden knew in high school, no longer a nerdy geek now a hot and hard to resist fireman will she be able keep her feelings under control….
This book has a lot going for it, it has all the feels you want in a great read, it’s emotional, realistic and enjoyable, it has characters who share an intense chemistry as well as deep feelings for each other and it’s well written with a great plot. I loved all the characters in this book so I hope we more stories featuring the secondary characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
An awesome story for my introduction into the writings of Kelly Jamieson. Arden is returning to her home town after her adult life has fallen into ruins. She is forced to move into an apartment owned by her brother that is being renovated by her brother’s friend Tyler. Tyler had a secret crush on Arden all through school but she was the unattainable, older girl who was the “prom queen” princess. The playing field is now level with Tyler as a hot fireman and Arden reduced to being a waitress to start over again financially. Trying to keep their desire for each other in the friend zone has been a lesson in futility. Dreams and secrets need to be shared not hidden from each other if they ever hope to move forward. I loved this gang of friends and hope that Kelly Jamieson will some day tell the story of the supporting characters. While I wait, there are so many more stories that I can explore from this author.