New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton is back with a friends-to-lovers romance sure to melt hearts as one smokin’-hot fireman turns up the heat on love.Relationships. Firefighter Rafe Donovan avoids them whenever possible. He loves dating women, but he makes sure they know up front that he’s in it for fun, great sex and nothing more. Fun. As an ER nurse and official caretaker of her … an ER nurse and official caretaker of her disabled grandfather, Carmen Lewis doesn’t have time for fun. But Rafe has been there for Carmen–and her grandfather–time and again, and he’s clearly interested in her. She knows he’s a player, but she’s tempted by his charm and incredible body. And maybe a little fun isn’t a bad thing, as long as she keeps her heart away from this fiery game she’s enjoying with a very hot man.
Love. It doesn’t take Rafe long to realize that until now he’s only been playing at romance. With Carmen he feels searing passion and heart-tugging emotion for the first time. Now he has to convince Carmen that what they have together is the real deal.
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An invitation to every female readers wildest fantasies
Rafe is a firefighter and a no strings hookup man. Carmen is an ER nurse taking care of her father and has no time for relationships or love. The two are friends with Rafe helping Carmen with her father at times. They have an attraction and one hookup could turn into something more if only Rafe can convince Carmen to give it a shot. A good friends to lovers read.
I received a copy of this books via Netgalley and am leaving a review.
I had a great time with this book! I actually enjoyed this book a bit more than the first book in the series. Both books were really good but I think that I just related to the main characters in this one a bit more. This is the second book in the Brotherhood by Fire trilogy and while it could be read as a standalone, I think that it is best to read them in order if possible. I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic story.
Rafe and his brothers are roommates and they all work at the local fire department. At the start of this story, Rafe finds himself at the mercy of his next-door neighbor, Carmen. Carmen is a nurse who works at the local emergency room. She lives with and cares for her elderly grandfather who has some health issues. Rafe dates a lot and likes to have a good time while Carmen is more serious and hesitant to do anything for herself.
I thought that Rafe and Carmen were perfect for each other. They had amazing chemistry and seemed to be exactly what the other needed. Rafe seemed to feel comfortable in every situation and I love the way that he just seemed to fit into Carmen’s life. I liked that they talked to each other about some pretty serious issues from their past. They both did make a few boneheaded moves but I was happy that everything did work out in the end.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a wonderful romance that was able to put a big smile on my face. There was some unnecessary drama towards the end of the story but that would be my only complaint. I look forward to reading Kal’s story very soon.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Ahh… the Donovan boys…
Are back! Firefighters and heat go hand in hand and Rafe’s story is filled with all that more…
Carmen was his next door neighbour but close proximity wasn’t helping him win her hand. She was everything he wanted – strong, smart, with family at the center. She was worth the effort though and he was going to tempt her one charming moment at the time…
Carmen had her hands full and though she found him attractive, tried her best to ignore the temptation. Trying to remind herself he was a patient didn’t seem to matter when he cared for her and grandfather so much…
This duo was dynamite. The chemistry between them sizzled as resistance met irresistibility. The back and forth was never too much as family, rather than getting in the way, helped bring them together.
Another great read in this series from an author who always knows how to bring heat and emotion to her stories.
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
4 1/2 STARS!
Full of heart! With book two in her Brotherhood by Fire series, Jaci Burton continues to make us fall for the Donovan brothers with IGNITE ON CONTACT.
We met Rafe in the first book of the series and loved the close-knit feel he and his fellow firefighter brothers have with each other and with their adoptive parents. He’s a bit of a love’em and leave’em playboy, but he’s got a good heart and is quick to admit when Carmen has him wrapped around hers.
Carmen is a tough one. She’s had a lot of loss in her life and she’s worked hard to get to the point she’s at right now, but taking care of her grandfather has her at her wits end when he keeps trying to do more than she thinks he should.
I recommend this book and the series as a whole to anyone who likes an action packed firefighter story with a family goodness around it. Can’t wait for Kal’s story!
I’ve been a long time fan of Jaci Burton so I was excited to read this one. I mean serious cover love for instant addiction! Yep! Whew! Had to break out the fan for this one. I’m so excited I read this. I didn’t get to read the first one in the series, but I was not overly confused by this one and it read like a stand alone to me.
Being a CNA and married to my own Firefighter, this novel was awesome, in my eyes. I loved getting to learn about Rafe and his past, and how he came to be a fire fighter. I could feel his emotions seeping off the page and into my heart like they were my own. ER nurse Carmen is another amazing character. I saw a lot of myself in her, being divorced, in the nursing field and a care taker of my father when he was sick. Seeing her with Rafe, watching their attraction for each blossom, it really set the sparks for this novel!
If you are looking for a hot, captivating romance read, then look no further. Burton’s characters are all chiseled perfectly for their roles, and her plot lines never fail to capture my soul. This page turner will make you read for more hot firemen, or maybe it’ll make you wanna set your own fire to get your own firemen coming to the rescue! Hats off to Burton, and I can’t wait for the rest of these novels!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* Jaci Burton
I really enjoyed this book and love this series. In book two we get Rafe and Carmen, a great friend to lover story that was burning hot.
Carmen has been a bit gun shy when it comes to dating. After her divorce 4 years ago, she’s content with work and helping her take care of her grandfather. Sure she’s had a bit of a crush on her next-door neighbor Rafe but she’s tried to steer clear of those feelings. But when Rafe ends up in the hospital after an accident at work, she finds herself checking in of the sexy Donovan Brother and low and behold he ends up asking her out.
Even though she says no initially, with the help of a little push from her grandfather, Rafe asks again and gets Carmen to agree to dinner.
Rafe pulls down Carmen’s walls and the two start to find out that they can have a little fun with each other. Rafe sees a forever in Carmen, unlike he ever has with any other woman. But with Carmen’s past, he has a lot of work ahead of him to tear down the walls.
I loved Carmen, even though I wanted to yell at her sometimes! And Rafe… he was super fun and swoony. Another great read in the Brotherhood Series and can’t wait for the next book!
Ignite on Contact is the second book in Jaci Burton’s Brotherhood by Fire Trilogy, and it was a sweet and steamy Friends to Lovers story. If you read the first book, you would’ve been introduced to the Donovan brothers, who all live together. They were homeless together and ended up in a fire when they were younger and were adopted by a firefighter. They have been inseparable since they were younger.
This time readers will fall for Rafe Donovan since Jackson already received his HEA in the previous book. Rafe Donovan is one sexy firefighter. Unfortunately, he avoids relationships until he starts falling for Carmen Lewis, who is his neighbor. She also is the ER nurse that took care of him in the beginning book when he was injured during a backdraft incident. Carmen avoids relationships like Rafe does, but for other reasons. She was married once, and her marriage didn’t work out. She believes every man is like her ex-husband and doesn’t trust to get into a relationship. She also is a caretaker to her grandfather, who has been recovering from a stroke. She has too much on her plate to have a relationship. Rafe, though, is determined to show Carmen that he’s not like her ex-husband.
What I loved about Ignite on Contact:
– The Friends to Lovers Romance. I love this trope.
– Rafe Donovan. He’s known to be a ladies man and not having relationships, but he changes when he starts hanging out with Carmen. He falls hard for her, and he’s determined to win her over. He’s determination won me over.
– Carmen Lewis. I love a female protagonist that is independent and doesn’t depend on someone else to take care of her. She’s also very family-oriented and loves her grandfather.
– The connection between Rafe and Carmen. Rafe shows Carmen that not every man is like her ex-husband. Some very steamy scenes between Rafe and Carmen will require a cold shower afterward.
– I loved Carmen’s Grandfather. He’s honest and is trying to be independent after suffering from a stroke. His granddaughter is very protective of him.
What I didn’t like about Ignite on Contact:
– The drama at the very end of the story and how Carmen reacted. Her grandfather even got on her about it.
– Rafe chasing after Carmen after what she did to him. She should’ve been the one chasing after him. She almost broke his heart.
Overall, this book gets 3.5 stars, and even though it may not be my favorite of the trilogy, I would still recommend it to the reader. If you watch Chicago Fire on NBC and you love reading firefighter romances, then I would recommend this trilogy. You do not have to read the first book, but you’ll miss out on Jackson and Beck’s story. I can’t wait to read Kal’s story next and find out who will win over his heart.
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of trilogy, but I believe each book can be read as standalone.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Friends-to-Lovers; Firefighter Romance
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I love it when a book pulls me in right away, and Ignite on Contact had me hooked with it’s opening scenes. It was great to return to this world of firefighter brothers in the second book in the Brotherhood by Fire series.
When Rafe is brought into the ER, nurse Carmen makes sure her neighbor is taken care of. During the course of his recovery, he has plenty of time to notice Carmen as something more than a neighbor and a nurse and things take off from there.
I liked this friends to lovers romance, especially because they had a solid friendship and their relationship built on that. There was a nice balance of steamy scenes as the relationship grew and just enough conflict to keep things interesting. Rafe is a sexy sweetheart with Carmen and I fell for him over that.
I’ve really been enjoying this series and Ignite on Contact is a great addition.
We are back with the Donovan’s and I’m so happy. I really enjoy this family. I’ve always liked the interaction of brothers and how they react to each other. They yell, fight and move on. Sisters don’t always do that.
Up this time we have Rafe Donovan. Sexy Rafe. He’s a great guy who likes to enjoy women. He’s not a player but he also doesn’t seem like the type to settle down very soon. He’s enjoying life. Or he was until he gets hurt and can’t work.
It’s like death to Rafe. He lives for his work.
There’s were Carmen comes in. She’s their next-door neighbor, friend and ER nurse. Since she lives so close she makes sure that Rafe does what he should be doing and relax.
I really like Carmen. She has a few issues with men because of her ex but other than that she’s a hard-working ER nurse that does her job and loves those around her. At the moment for her, the most important person in her life is her grandfather. She has done a fantastic job of helping him recover and get better. You can really feel the love between grandfather and granddaughter.
Her grandfather is also well-liked by the Donovan boys. It’s sweet how Rafe helps out and fixes a few things over at their house for them. What I liked about that is yes he did it because he was really into Carmen by then but he also did it because he really likes her grandfather.
Besides a wonderful romance between Rafe and Carmen (her grandfather has one going too) you also will enjoy the relationship between the brothers and what they mean to each other and how they handle those feelings.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I’ve liked the series so far. I would say to read the books in order because I think it helps to understand the layers of the Donovan boys. If you read the first one it will help make this one even better. You’ll get to have a great weekend with your Saturday and Sunday reads.
This was a sweet, sexy, friends-to-lovers story. I enjoyed it very much! It’s book 2 in the series, but it stands alone pretty well.
Rafe Donovan has had a very interesting life. His parents were horrible people, and dangerous drug dealers, so he ran away as a kid, and met his brothers, Jackson and Kal, while living on the streets. They took care of each other, and they were doing ok. But, one night, the vacant house they were sleeping in caught fire, and they almost died. A fireman named Josh Donovan saved their lives, and then he and his wife Laurel adopted the 3 boys. So, after that, he was safe and had a great family. He grew up to be a firefighter, along with both his brothers. He likes to date around, but he’s never been serious about any one woman. Maybe it’s remnants of his messed up childhood, but he doesn’t emotionally depend on anyone but family.
Carmen Lewis is an ER charge nurse. She grew up mostly with her grandparents after her mom died, and her dad split, when she was a kid. Later, after her abuela passed as well, it was just her and her grandfather. He had a stroke a few years ago, and her young marriage had ended in divorce, so she moved in to take care of him. The Donovan brothers have lived next door for the last several years of Carmen’s time living in her grandfather’s house, and they’ve all helped her out with caring for him, here and there. Rafe has been especially helpful. She’s always been attracted to him, but she had no use for a man in her life, after her ex, so she’s always ignored the pull. But when Rafe is injured on a call, and she takes care of him at the hospital, he asks her out, to a “thank you” dinner, and she grudgingly says yes.
Rafe and Carmen had a sparking connection, but they both thought they were just going to have a good time, and it would be nothing serious. Best laid plans, and all that! They both felt comfortable with the other right away, since they already knew each other pretty well, and so it was easy for them to fall into a relationship. Once they both realized how much they were starting to care for the other, they had to decide if they were willing to truly open their hearts to love.
Rafe’s brothers were awesome, and I enjoyed seeing them again in this story. They have a typical loving, competitive, brotherly relationship, and watching them give each other a hard time was always funny. Carmen’s grandpa Jimmy was a total doll, and I loved how he looked after her, while she was trying to care for him. Carmen’s best friend, and fellow nurse, Tess, was awesome too. I’d love to get a little short story about her and her amazing husband!
Both these characters had some pretty steep emotional walls to scale before they could imagine really being together long-term. They’d both been hurt before, in very different ways, by people who were supposed to care for them, and they weren’t eager to allow it to happen again. I enjoyed watching them both slowly fall in love, and then actually realize they were in love. It seemed to sneak up on them both, and it was very satisfying to read.
This was a sweet story, while still being plenty hot, and I liked it very much! I’m looking forward to Kal’s story next! He started training for a different, more elite, type of firefighting job in this book, so I’m curious to see how that changes his life going forward!
I loved Rafe even before this book because I was lucky enough to read Book 1 but that isn’t necessary to read as this book can easily stand alone. Rafe has been interested in Carmen since she came back to help her grandfather but she has always been aloof. When Rafe lands in her ER she is so worried about him so when she comes over to check on him Rafe asked her to dinner just to thank her and she runs like the devil. When Carmen’s grandfather suggests she take Rafe upon his offer she goes and finds Rafe isn’t like her ex husband but she is so afraid to get into a relationship she keeps telling Rafe and herself it’s just for fun. Rafe has not had a relationship with a woman, sure he cares about her but he is feeling things he never has and he has no idea how to handle her.
Carmen is so afraid to be hurt that she uses her grandfather as an excuse but her grandfather has gone on in his life and he is trying to encourage her to do the same. This a such a good series and you can’t help but fall in love with the Brotherhood.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
This is the second book in the Brotherhood by Fire series and it is Rafe’s story. In the first book, we met the three Donavan brothers and I think I like this one just a little more than the first one.
Rafe is a firefighter just as his brothers are and when a backdraft sends him to the hospital it is his next-door neighbor Carman who is the nurse that takes care of him. Although he wants to be the tough guy and say he is okay, Carmen tells him he needs to tell her how he is really feeling so they can make sure he is going to be fine. After he is released from the hospital and orders for five days of rest. He is so restless and just wants to get out of the house.
Carmen lives next door to Rafe and his brothers, she thinks about Rafe all the time but she knows he doesn’t see her that way. So when he shows up at the hospital and ends up flirting with her, she doesn’t know how to handle it. The next day she takes home food to eat and even walks around the block with him, just to get him outside.
As they grow closer together and things between them begin to heat up is there a chance for a relationship? Carmen has relationship issues because of a bad marriage. Can she let Rafe in? Can Rafe make her see that things will be different with him?
I liked this storyline and the chemistry between Rafe and Carmen was totally hot. But I think the drama at the end was a little too much and Carmen feeling lost and needy because she might lose her dad to another woman. Anyway, I enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next one.
**Wicked Reads Review Team**
Rafe Donovan is a skilled firefighter with a winning smile and personality. He might be unfairly classified as a “player” because he’s unwilling to be in a committed relationship but he treats his short term partners with dignity and respect, always clear that he’s just about having fun. When a backdraft sends him into the emergency room, his next door neighbor and ER nurse Carmen Lewis is on hand to take care of him. He’s wanted a reason to get to know her better and doesn’t squander the opportunity. Carmen, however, keeps him at arm’s length…until she doesn’t.
This was the story I was hoping it would be. Rafe and Carmen are pretty special people. She’s devoted to her career and taking care of her grandfather who is recovering from a stroke he had several years ago. She lives with him and doesn’t have time for fun or romance, especially given her disastrous marriage that ended in divorce. I adored how Rafe pulled her out of that rut without being forceful about it, just using genuine charm and interesting ideas. It was impossible to not become invested in their romance, which developed so nicely, even if it started out solely as a physical one.
These were two people who weren’t looking for a commitment and drifted into one quite naturally. He taught her how to have joy in life outside of work and she gave him a reason to free his heart to someone who earned it. I listened to the story and enjoyed the narration, though hearing the steamy bits these two created was a whole other experience! The reason I began this series is because of the firefighting element and the bonding of the three brothers. There’s so much of that here, too, so this turned out to be a wonderful listening and story experience (loved the epilogue). I’m looking forward to the finale featuring the youngest brother, Kal Donovan.
(Thanks to Tantor Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
I enjoyed this book’s storyline. I really liked the firefighter scenes. I really liked the hot & steamy scenes. I liked Carmen’s character. I really liked Rafe’s character. I really liked the ending.
This was a terrific story of family ties, letting go of the past, and finding love when you least expect it. Rafe is a firefighter with a reputation of giving the ladies a fun time, but not getting too close. His relationships rarely last more than a few weeks. Even his brothers have noticed and call him on the superficiality of it. That begins to change when he ends up in the ER under the care of his neighbor Carmen. He’s been attracted to her for a while, but she shows no interest in him.
Carmen’s life is busy. She has her job as an ER nurse that keeps her on her toes. She also lives with her grandfather and has been caring for him since his stroke. She appreciates the help that Rafe has provided, and he’s certainly easy on the eyes. But she isn’t so sure that getting involved with him would be a smart thing to do.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Rafe and Carmen. Carmen avoids dating and men, having been burned by a cheating ex-husband and is not sure she can trust her heart or her judgment. I liked how her friend Tess gave her a bit of a nudge out of her safe little box and encouraged her to see where the sparks between her and Rafe might go. It was fun to see Carmen make the overtures when she took food to Rafe when he was on medical leave. Rafe is all-in when he realizes that Carmen returns his interest and also doesn’t want anything serious.
Though they started out intending just to have fun together, it didn’t take long for the lines to blur. The chemistry between them is strong, but they also find themselves just enjoying being together. Rafe knows about Carmen’s divorce and realizes that it will take time for her to trust him. Though his reputation is that of a player, Rafe also has a caring nature. I loved watching the little things he did for her, from foot rubs to helping her around her house. Carmen doesn’t quite know what to make of him because he is so different than her ex. As those differences start to break down her walls, Carmen finds herself growing closer to Rafe. Because their jobs are so similar, both she and Rafe understand the toll that it can sometimes take on them. There’s a fantastic scene where Carmen helps Rafe through a traumatic event at work, something that emphasizes just how deep their feelings have grown.
Just as it looks like their future is assured, Carmen’s grandfather experiences a medical crisis. Carmen is swamped with guilt and pulls back, leaving Rafe devastated. I ached for both of them as Carmen’s fears come between them. I loved how Rafe’s mom helped him see that he shouldn’t give up on them. At the same time, Carmen’s grandfather showed her that life is too short to let the past dictate the future. I loved the ending and seeing how Rafe shows Carmen that he’s there for her no matter what happens.
I loved the importance of family to both Carmen and Rafe. Carmen’s relationship with her grandfather is a close one. Her grandparents raised her after her mother died, and he is all the family she has. Carmen tends to be a little overprotective since his stroke which he has no trouble pushing back about. Rafe had a rough start to life with drug dealer parents. He, Jackson, and Kal met when they were homeless street kids, and were later rescued from a fire by Mr. Donovan. They were taken in and adopted by the Donovans. I loved seeing the closeness and love in the Donovan family. The three brothers are there for each other when needed. They also have a great time teasing each other about anything and everything. The guys will also drop everything if their parents need them for something.
Though this is the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. That said, I want to go back and read Jackson’s story, as it sounds like a good one, too. I also look forward to Kal’s story.
Ignite on Contact is the second book in the Brotherhood by Fire series and focuses on Rafe. We also met Carmen in the first book as the Donovans’ next door neighbor. She and Rafe had a great chemistry and a wonderful friendship. Carmen was a divorcee and had a hard time trusting men. She just worked and took care of her grandfather. Rafe always had a fun, no strings attached trysts. But when it came to Carmen he could tell there was more to her and wanted to pursue that. However he knew he needed to proceed with caution to get anywhere with her. And that is where the story gets good. Seeing how great Rafe was with Carmen and the care he showed for her grandfather was heartwarming. Their friendship started to evolve and they were a good couple whenever they were together. I also enjoyed the relationship between Rafe and his brothers Jackson and Kal. The fact that they weren’t blood related did not diminish the love they had for one another. It was also nice to see the Jackson and Becks (from the first book) enjoying their HEA. Overall this was a nice read. I hope Kal gets a book-he definitely has a good one.
Ignite on Contact is book 2 of the Brotherhood by Fire series and it is a super steamy friends to lovers story. Carmen and Rafe are both career minded, focused people who aren’t looking for a relationship…or are they?
Carmen is one of those heroines you just love. She is smart, hardworking, and compassionate yet she isn’t a pushover. She has baggage from her past like everyone. She and Rafe are neighbors so she knows he is kind of slutty. She is down for a friends with benefits arrangement. Like most friends with benefits this could end in one of two ways: a love connection or a broken heart. Carmen is guarded thanks to a bad marriage. She fears her feelings for Rafe could end up in heartbreak and she is cautious.
Rafe’s life has been defined by his profession, a firefighter, and his ‘brothers’. An injury puts him direct contact with Carmen and they build a friendship and more. I appreciated that Rafe was the one to really push for more in the relationship. It was hot!
There was some totally unnecessary drama at the end that really turned me off of Carmen, who I had loved up until then. It just felt out of character. Rafe is a firefighter and Carmen is a nurse: Why wasn’t the drama from their jobs or something?!? It kind of soured the book a tad for me.
Ignite on Contact delivers sexual tension, intelligent characters, and a compelling friends to lovers story! You can read this independent of book one if you like this trope more!
3.5 stars
Call me a sap, but the backstory on these brothers makes me positively glow with joy at how far they have come. So of course I need to know all the things!
Ignite on Contact is Rafe’s story. Well, Rafe and Carmen’s story. Second but not last in the search for love, Rafe finds more than fun with Carmen. He finds his forever, now he just needs to convince the skittish woman of his intentions. All is fair in love…
Firefighter Rafe Donovan doesn’t do forever, he is just not cut out for it. Sure he enjoys dating and the one night kind of affairs, but that is all the farther he ever lets it go.
That is until Carmen Lewis comes into the picture… it was supposed to be a little fun between friends and neighbors, no feelings or attachments. But love had other plans for these two… the forever kind of plan.
What you find between the pages of Ignite on Contact will squeeze your heart, and singe your fingertips. The chemistry between Carmen and Rafe was evident from the start and their intense attraction to one another kept things consistently hot throughout the entire story. Both were in it just for fun, but it didn’t take long for the lines to blur and feelings to take hold, and that’s when my heartstrings felt a major tug. I loved this pairing so much, they fit into each other’s lives perfectly and complimented one another nicely. I was quite pleased with what I found here, the story line was plausible and engaging, the characters were easy to connect to, and the words had depth and feeling… it was a perfect literary escape! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.