“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 series just keeps getting better and better!
Jonny, Jonny, Jonny, I had no idea you would be such a dirty talker. I’m so glad you are. We’ve seen Rayah in love with Jonny secretly since book 1. It was wonderful for Jonny to finally see her, really see her as something other than his best friend’s sister. (my favorite trope) Rayah has always been there helping out with the kids. This wonderful love hiding in plain sight right under his nose. What’s not to love about Jonny? He a sexy, single dad fireman. You’ll want to be Rayah when you grow up. This book couldn’t be more aptly named. In other news, the mystery in town is really heating up. What’s up with Alex?
Jonny and Rayah have been in each other’s lives forever, but moving from friends to lovers affects not only their relationship, but everyone around them as well. Annie Dyer’s characters always have depth and complexity, and this book is no exception – both adults and children are skilfully drawn, and while I was expecting Sadie to be the scene stealer, it was actually Charlie who resonated most. Add in an ongoing mystery and plenty of humour, and this is another winner in the Severton series.
Wow, Annie Dyer surely knows how to tell a tale! I adore this series with its heat, fun, tragedy and small town love!
Rayah Maynard has known Jonny forever and has had a thing for him for quite a bit of that time. She hasn’t said anything because they are all such good friends, her brother and cousins and Jonny. But one night a thought passes through Jonny’s mind and he doesn’t just consider Rayah a friend only anymore. Rayah is happy to be friends with benefits but as time will have it, sometimes that isn’t enough. Fear is a powerful motivator to not rock the boat and ask or say something to Jonny about how she feels. A situation makes it so love words are exchanged.
So many times the sizzle between them is get a cool cloth worthy but it just adds to their story and doesn’t take it over.
Jonny has 3 kids that adore Rayah but he has a couple issues as a dad about saying something to soon as he doesn’t want anyone hurt if it doesn’t work out.
They have been the best of friends and taking that next step can lead to a truly happy ending, if our characters can just talk to each other!
Friends-to-lovers is one of my absolute fave tropes and Annie Dyer did not disappoint with Smoldered. Jonny and Rayah have been friends forever and forever is just about as long as Rayah has been in love with, Jonny, her brother’s best friend. Smoldered is book 3 in the Severton Search and Rescue Series and Annie Dyer gave me everything I have grown to love with this series – endearing characters, smart funny writing, heat (The chemistry between Jonny and Rayah is combustible) and real/raw emotions. Add a dash of mystery and you have all the makings of a 5 star read.
A spark starts a flame…Johny finally notices Rayah as more than a friend and it doesn’t take long for that fire to burn hot! Johny is a single dad to 3 great kids and I loved the interactions between he and his kids. Rayan has been like a second mother to the kids and I loved her love for them. Rayah has had feelings for Johny for quite sometime but was willing to push that aside to help Johny get back out into the dating world…luckily Johny realized what he had right in front of him. Isn’t that life though…at times what we are looking for is right in front of us if we’d just take off the blinders. 5read!
Firefighter single dad, a sassy teacher, friends-to-lovers plus the suspense of an arsonist on the loose in Severton make Smoldered my new favorite of the series.
Jonny is a hardworking, loving father who heavily relies on his best friend to make his family work. Rayah has been in love with her best friend forever but is reluctant to make a move that might destroy their friendship. They soon find out that best friends just might make the best lovers.
This is a very emotional (and steamy!) story about friends, taking chances and trusting the ones you love. There are plenty of fun moments provided by Sadie Grace and the rest of the quirky residents of Severton. I can’t wait to read more about this fantastic town.
Smoldered is a sexy, mysterious, fast paced, 5 star read all the way through!
Jonny falls for Rayah slowly, and then all at once, but he’s holding onto this secret not realizing Rayah has been in love with him forever.
As a single dad he has a responsibility to guard his children’s hearts, and what if his love story with Rayah has a short shelf life? Rayah doesn’t want for Jonny’s children to be hurt when he realizes he’s done sleeping with his friend?
A stunningly fun, sexy, mysterious romp through Severton where no one ever has any secrets. Annie Dyer kills it again delivering next level talent mixing suspense with a fun family series!
This author creates an amazing group of friends and family you wish you belonged to! Read this now!
Fantastic read. I am getting more invested in the characters from this series as the books go on. Jonny is a great dad to his littles. Rayah is a great strong female lead. I really enjoy how there is a secondary story that is flowing through the books connecting them even more than just the family ties. I am really invested in it now.
Once again Annie gets it right!.
I love me some friends to lovers, and once again without fail, Annie, does it extremely right and nails it in a way that just draws you in and makes you want to stay
The way Jonny is with his kids, just makes you want to love him. And Rayah’s personality just draws you in. i couldnt love them more then i do
Best thing its not just a romance (which there is plenty of), there’s also real characters, real emotions and a little bit of mystery which just hooks you in and doesnt let you go, also with storyline connecting all 3 books makes you want to read, and keep reading this series
i cant wait for the next one!
This is such a lovely story with great characters and a love of friends and family that has no bounds and lots of banter with no judgement!
A sexy sassy teacher and a widowed father of 3 adorable children who is also a firefighter, and a long history of friendship between the two!
Rayah and Jonny grew up together, Rayah’s brother is Jonny’s best friend and she has been rescued by Jonny more than once in her lifetime. But, for years she has wanted Jonny to notice her aa a woman! She helps look after his children whilst he works, she goes out with him and her brother and cousins, they just hang out together as friends!
Jonny is out with a female friend when she points out to him how he looks at Rayah, the possessiveness in him and he wonders, what does he real feel towards her! At Christmas, they share a kiss, and then the secret relationship starts, well, they both think they are being discreet and secretive ….
Jonny is busy with work, there is a dangerous arsonist on the loose and Rayah worries about him continuously, but, it’s him who should be worried about her, especially when she is taken and locked in a room, can he get to her in time or has their time ran out!
When was the last time you were captivated by a book? Well let me tell you I was just held captive by this book. I couldn’t put it down. This is my first book by this author and I can already tell you it won’t be my last. I’ve been informed that this is the third book in this series. Let me assure you this is a standalone. However, I will be going back to read the first two books in this series because I need to find out more about the other characters I fell in love with while reading this story.
I don’t do spoilers. It’s my opinion that it’s not fair to the author. You can read the blurb and then read the book. What I will tell you is that this story has everything you’re looking for in a good book. You will get all the feels and some you probably are not expecting. You’ll get your smiles, laughs, tears, intrigue, mystery, family, drama, romance, and heat. I have to tell you what really melts my butter is not the description of the heat (which is great) but Jonny’s intimate talking during, before and after. The little whispers, the taking charge, the aftercare. So many times in books and real life the deed is done and then it’s bedtime. You don’t read the tenderness. It’s three times of great sex and then sleep. Not in this book. I found out it greatly affected me and how I felt while reading it.
Another important aspect of this book that I really like is how true to life it is. These characters are people you could know on a personal level. Too, you may become frustrated by them. They bring so much to the table in the area of not communicating and hiding their truth. I believe this is how many people in relationships are. They fail to live up to their true self in fear that they will jeopardize what they have. They don’t realize it could be so much more.
One of my favorite parts of this story are the children. They are enchanting and real. They have no filter. They are the definition of truth. There’s an old saying that goes, “If you want the truth ask a child”. Children are definitely smarter than adults. One of the things we do find out is that life could be so much simpler but we make it so much more complicated than it needs to be. Thereby wasting valuable time. Again, it’s fear of upsetting the Applecart. There’s so many times in life we are willing to risk and trust our judgment except when it comes to our heart. We are willing to settle.
Jonny is the man, the father, the boyfriend with whom we would all like to become acquainted.
Rayah, is independent, smart, headstrong, a true friend and has a heart full of love in all ways.
They are the epitome of the saying, “you can’t see the forest for the trees”.
I think you can tell I loved this book. To the author I say, well done. To the readers I say this is a book that deserves to be read and you deserve to read it.
So good! Really great story, you feel like you know everyone right off the batt. Sexy, Hot and left me wanting more! Love this author)
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review
Annie Dyer really out did herself with Smoldered! I love a good Firefighter Romance! This is by far my favorite book in this series. The chemistry between the main characters rings true to the title of the book… HOT and passionate. Smoldered encompasses several of my favorite tropes all into one, single dad, firefighter, brother’s best friend. 5 star read! I cant wait to read the next on from Annie!
I have been waiting for Johnny and Rayah’s story for sometime
It was perfect!
Twists, turns and so many things I didn’t see coming.
Each book is better than the one previous. There isn’t much better than a single firefighter dad story.
His kids are so fun, Sadie Grace will have you laughing and Charlie will capture your heart-he is very sensitive.
A hot romance peppered with mystery and some vulnerable kids – yippee! So far, this is my favorite in the Severton series. Rayah has been crushing hard on her brother’s best friend, a firefighter & widow with three kids. Rayah is a fireball, independent and passionate. Jonny is the hot widow that’s all about being a dad. They get together, but can it last? And, can Rayah stay out of trouble? Annie Dyer’s writing pulls me in and grabs on. I can’t wait for her next book!
I enjoyed this book, from the steamy build up between Jonny and Rayah, down to the sweetest little boy Charlie.
I think for a friends to lovers story, Smoldered had all the components needed to keep me engaged. There was the single dad, cute kids, a small town, a steamy build up.
Jonny the single dad, who is sought after by all the single women in town, definitely won my heart. I thought it was great that he made sacrifices for his children but still found a way to live a little.
The chemistry between Jonny and Rayah, these two heated up their sex scenes between their passion and dirty talk, I couldn’t pick which was better.
Get ready for Charlie to melt your heart. For a young child, he’s smart, wise and a total sweetheart. Out of everyone, he was favorite, especially when he found a way to get information from his dad without being too forward.
If you like a good friends to lovers then this is the book for you.
This was beautiful. I loved the story of Rayah & Jonny and how it went from childhood friends to lovers, it was lovely that it had a story basis on a widowed dad with three children and that love can be found no matter the situation. Wildchild meets Firechild this series have been my first by this author and won’t be my last have enjoyed every one of the books
Fantastic. Loved Rayah and Johnny. You don’t need to read the other books in this series but if you have then you have seen these two before and seen some of their story. Rayah has liked him since they were little but doesn’t think he feels the same way. Johnny has 3 children to raise and since his wife died dating hasn’t been on the radar. Rayah is his best friends little sister and has been helping him with the kids. When she tries to start setting him up on dates and starts dating herself he realizes he may have more then friendship feelings for her. I love the friends to more and best friends sibling romance and this was great. Have loved the whole series so far and the story in this one was great. Don’t miss out.