“I didn’t find it weird. It wasn’t like kissing a sister or something. I realized that when you were video calling the other night I wasn’t thinking about you like I would do a sister.”“You know why that it?” She stepped towards him. “Because I’m not your sister. Funny that, isn’t it?” He’s been saving her all her life, but can she save her heart from him?Rayah Maynard’s loved her brother’s best … him?
Rayah Maynard’s loved her brother’s best friend for pretty much as long as she can remember, which unfortunately is the problem. He still sees her as the kid who he constantly needed to rescue whenever she got into trouble.
Jonny Graham has devoted himself to his three children and his career as a firefighter since his wife died when his youngest was just a baby. When his best friend’s sister starts setting him up on dates, he realizes she’s not the fearless kid who hung around with them, but can he trust her to keep herself – and his heart – safe?
Rayah wants to prove to Jonny she doesn’t need to be rescued anymore. When an arsonist puts the safety of the small town in jeopardy, she might have to choose – the man she’s loved for years or her town.
If she can stay safe enough to make that choice.
This steamy small town single dad, friends-to-lovers, firefighter romance is part of the Severton Search & Rescue series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Read all the Severton Search and Rescue Series:
1. Sleighed
2. Stirred
3. Smoldered
4. Shaken (coming June 2020)
more
This book had so many good parts. I loved the romance, the friendship, and even the dabs of mystery and suspense that came with with it. Jonny and Rayah’s friendship was something special even before any romantic entanglements, but Annie Dyer wrote their transition to romance partners perfectly. I felt like the transition was written so natural it almost felt like the book wasn’t fiction. I loved this book and cannot wait till we get to see them in future books!
It’s hotter than ever in Severton! Smoldered is a romance reader’s dream book, because it is chocked full of magic, mystery and red-hot passion. The series also keeps getting better as the darker story that lurks behind our main characters unfolds just a bit more. The characters will have you fanning yourself and laughing out loud. Then, it is all mixed with moments that make your heart melt and your mouth hurt from smiling. The Maynard clan’s little sister and the towns hottest fireman star in this girl next door/best friend to lover’s romance.
The relationship between Rayah and Jonny is special. Rayah has been in secret love with Jonny forever. He has always looked at her as his best friend’s little sister who was pretty, stubborn and adventurous. As adults, they are the best of friends… until they aren’t. When Jonny is convinced to start dating again, he realizes that what he really wants was right in front of him the whole time. Rayah is the missing link that makes their family whole again.
Rayah and Jonny have been friends since forever and during that time things changed for them and went from being just friends who are there fore each other to Rayah wanting him but knowing she shouldn’t. After getting to know both of them from book one I was so excited for them to get their own book especially as they are both strong willed and independent only taking on help when the really need it. You can see how they drift closer together especially after Jonny became a single dad. Be ready for times of laughter, eye rolling, cringing, wanting to shake them both, mystery, worry and hope that 2 people who well and truly deserve a happy ever after get it.
I am absolutely in love with Rayah and Jonny! This series is amazing and this book is fantastic! Jonny is definitely a member of the harem!!
I loved being back in Severton and there were so many feels with this story. I was hooked from the beginning and could not stop reading! Jonny & Rayah have known each other since they were children so there were so many things in their pasts that they went through together, especially since Jonny’s best friend is Rayah’s brother Alex. Jonny has rescued Rayah more than once and even knowing all the scrapes she got into when they were kids he trusted her to take care of his 3 children. This is such a great story & I can’t wait to take another trip to Severton.
Smoldered is the perfect title for this slow burn romance between Rayah, the spitfire Maynard little sister and cousin, and Johnny, the hot firefighter and single dad of three. We’ve been watching these two from the sidelines since Sleighed, book 1 in the Serverton Search and Rescue series. Friends for most of their life, Rayah has always been in the mix and usually finds herself in a spot trouble and Jonny comes to her rescue. He’s always seen her as his best mates little sister and one of the boys.
Watching these two navigate a relationship was entertaining and also quite hot. I adored how Jonny was as a father. Sadie Grace likes to steal the show; however, Charlie was by far my favorite. He has such a kind soul and is genuinely concerned about his dad’s well being. The story is so rich because of the children and also the characters we have followed in the previous two books.
Besides the blossoming love affair, we also get a good dose of intrigue. There’s an underlying mystery happening in Serverton and more is revealed during this tale. My interest is peaked! And we also get a much cleared picture of Alex in this book. So curious what his deal is and who might be his love interest. Another great addition to this series.
I adored Rayah and Jonny’s story. Love the bit of angst. I’m a sucker for a single dad story and Jonny did not disappoint. Definitely want to read the other Severton Series books!
Rayah has been in love with Jonny for a very long time but he is her friend. He is a widower with three children that she helps him raise and he looks at her like a sister…until he finally doesn’t. This was a beautiful story and I loved seeing Ray get her happy ending. The thread of evil that began in Sleighed continues through this story and provides some very tense situations. I look forward to the next in this series.
I have to be completely honest. I waited several days before I wrote this because I need to fully digest what I just read! This book is by far my favorite in the Severton Series, I fell so in love with Jonny for the simple fact that he’s raising 3 kids alone, but is smart enough to accept help. Rayah is his biggest helper, she watches the children as often as she can, partly because she loves kids and partly because she’s been in love with Jonny since they were kids. But she won’t act on it, not until he makes the first move. This is a beautifully written slow burn romance with a more mystery like the other books, and a lot of comedy. Though it’s a standalone, you do get to see some of your favorites from the first two books. But one character stands out to me most in this book and it’s Charlie, one of Jonny’s kids. I know you thought I was going to say Sadie Grace and as much as she steal scenes again, Charlie will steal your heart. This kid had me crying, laughing and loving all throughout the book!
I received an ARC in return for my honest review.
Annie Dyer is a new to me author. Smoldered is the first book of hers I read and I definitely will be going back to her backlist to read more!
This friends to lovers book was so sweet with some suspense mixed right into it. Rayah and Jonny have such a close friendship that she never in her wildest dreams would think she’d have a chance with him. Jonny and his dirty mouth could set anyone a blaze. Ahh…single father, firefighter and all around sexy! Yasss!
If you are looking for a slow burn with suspense and mystery this is the book for you!! I enjoyed every minute of it!!
This book took a hold of me from the beginning, and it never let me go until the end. I devoured this book in one night; this book didn’t have anything I didn’t love… I had been waiting for this book for a while, and it was worth the wait. I love the characters (Jonny & Rayah). I love the story, I love all the talking of Jonny… I love everything about this book. Annie Dyer, I really hope this is not the last book from Severton!
Annie Dyer has done it again. Smoldered is book 3 in the Severton Search & Rescue series (all can be read as a stand-alone, but what’s the fun in that).
Smoldered has a little bit of everything – friends to lovers, single-dad who puts his children first,
fearless heroine who loves hard, and just the right amount of small-town mystery to keep you hooked.
I loved Jonny and Rayah’s story. This was a fun, sexy and fast-paced read.
This book was full of action, lust, love and laughter. It’s the story of Rayah , Jonny and his three children. She’s a constant in their lives and he has always been her savior, but he doesn’t see her as a woman until someone pointed it out. She had been lusting after him for years, but he never noticed. However, they somehow get together and after a series of events they realize they love each other and can’t live without the other. She also realizes she loves his kids so much and wants them all in her life. It’s another interesting and intriguing beautiful story by Annie Dyer totally worth 5 stars.
Here we have Rayah and Jonny….watching Rayah hold the ember for Jonny since book 1 has generated quite the build up and it didn’t disappoint…that slow smolder has burned just right until it flashed alight. Seeing their comfort with and respect of one another and the kids made you feel good. Jonny was cute and shy flirting with Rayah. They had a tenderness and care for one another that existed before there were any romantic feelings and that was great. Add to that all the creepy mystery of the house on the hill and the dangers continue with explosive fires, dead bodies and the mob…
Which brings me to the fantastic easter eggs laid out for us in anticipation of the next chapter in the Severton saga. First there is friendly farmer Jake and who will capture his attention, but the bigger mystery and build up is Alex….quiet, reserved, policeman Alex who is holding onto some secret and is Abbie-the-Bartender involved….that is what I am looking forward to knowing. Fingers crossed that Alex solves the crimes happening in Severton and the good guy gets the bad guys. Maybe that should be the title of Alex’s installment….Solved!
Friends to lovers romance, mysterious goings on in Severton, Smoldered has it all! From the first line to the very end I was completely hooked! Jonny & Rayah have been friends for years. He is her brothers best friend. When they were kids Jonny was always saving Rayah from getting into scraps. They were just meant to be together even when she was setting him up on dates with other people! The kids are amazing Sadie Grace is full of mischief, but Charlie just melts my heart! Ending was perfect. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next for the people of Severton.