Six years ago, Kate Cassidy broke Rafe Casella’s heart by abandoning him a few months before their wedding. Now she’s in town with the gut-wrenching news that she had his baby, in secret, and she wants Rafe back. She has to be kidding!But Kate is deadly serious. She made the worst mistake of her life when she left Hidden Cove and she’s determined to fix it. She plans to reinstate herself in the … herself in the fire department and raise her son in a loving family—one that includes his father.
A rollercoaster of emotion, devastating fires, a stalker targeting Kate and a sizzling attraction that never diminished, set the two of them on an irrevocable course to reunion. That is if they can all stay alive.
If you liked the face-paced events, breathtaking tenderness, uplifting messages of forgiveness, as well as on-the-edge-of-your-seat fire scenes, all characteristic of the Hidden Cove Fire Department Series, then you’ll love New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Shay’s ninth installment.
Don’t miss books 1-8 in the beloved Hidden Cove Firefighter series: AFTER THE FIRE, ON THE LINE, NOTHING MORE TO LOSE, AMERICA’S BRAVEST, IT HAD TO BE YOU, CHASING THE FIRE, THE FIRE INSIDE and A BURNING PASSION.
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Can Rafe and Kate fight their own fires?
In this page turning book, you quickly fall for both of the fears chasing the main characters, Rafe, and Kate. Is it right to skip town for six years, only to come back, expecting everything to be the same? Is it fair to put off a fiancee? Read the book to find out!
And, yes, MS. What made the phrase men in uniform are sexy live up to the truth in my mind!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was a wonderful story to round out this fantastic series. I hope there will be another series that can cross over here. I hate to see a conclusion to a series like this. It is like saying good-bye to friends.
The plot was beautifully written and completely drew me in. The scenes were well thought out and flowed very nicely. At first, I really didn’t care for Kate Cassidy. She left Rafe Casella just a few months before their wedding six years ago. She has just found out that she was pregnant with his baby and left! Because the story is written in a dual POV format. I was given insight into the character’s thought and motivations for leaving. I really needed that as I was not raised in foster care. I didn’t go through her experiences. Later, she does marry a teacher. Upon his death, she realizes that life is not promised no matter what your profession. She comes back to Hidden Cove to get back together with Rafe. Unfortunately for her, Rafe is engaged to someone else. Now this was the part that I didn’t care for. She blatantly told Rafe that she was going to win him back.
The funny thing with books; I feel that they should make me feel sometime. My emotions were all over the place with this one. I was won over by the character when her full explanation was revealed. I became her cheerleader. I just adored their son.
If you love a book about second chances with your first or a prior love, (especially if he is a firefighter) then you have to read this one. The best part, she was also a firefighter. That was a great experience in the book. Now there were just a few “sexy” scenes that were so basically eluded to and faded into black that it shouldn’t offend anyone over the age of 18.
Kate and Rafe were engaged to be married when she learned she was pregnant. They both work as firefighters and its very dangerous and she doesn’t want to take a chance that something could happen to them and leave their child an orphan. So she leaves without explaining anything to Rafe and moves on with someone else. Now years later she’s back and her feelings for Rafe are still the same. However she has a big secret she’s kept from him. How will he feel about what she’s done and kept from him? Will he give her another chance?
This is an amazing story that will have you one the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
This is Book 9 in the Hidden Cove FireFighters Series but can be read as a stand alone. Though I highly recommend you read the series in order as I feel you’ll get a greater appreciation of the series as a whole.
Kate Cassidy has done the absolute worse thing you can do to a man in my opinion and now she’s back with a surprise for Rafe Casella fully hoping for forgiveness and to have a future together as a family.
I truly felt Rafe’s heartache. How do you move on from the news that Kate gives to him and how do you let go of the past to possibly have any type of future that the bitterness of the past doesn’t creep into.
As always Kathryn Shay has a wonderful way of writing that pulls the reader in that makes you feel that you’re part of the story. You’re watching it unfold around you.
I enjoy second chance stories. Ms. Shay has written an excellent one in her fire fighter series. Kate & Rafe were together until she suddenly broke it off & left. Now she’s back with a young son, Rafe’s young son. Can he forgive her for leaving? Is she over her fears? Before they can try to work things out, someone is threatening Kate & they have to figure out who is after her.
I really enjoy the characters in this series. The way they are written really emphasizes the “family” the firefighters become. The fear that Kay felt is one that all spouses of firefighters go through but doubled since they were both firefighters. You can understand what was going through her head. I loved the way his family not only welcomed their son but also Kate. I love this series & can’t wait for the next book. They all can be read as stand alones but the characters show up in each other’s books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This series follows firefighters Captain Rafe Casella and Kate Cassidy from the Hidden Cove station. Rafe and Kate were engaged until six years ago when Kate abruptly broke off their engagement and left town. When she left, she failed to mention that she was pregnant,
This book starts when Kate returns to Hidden Cove with her five-year old son to try to win Rafe back. However, Rafe has not forgiven Kate. Plus, he is even angrier when he discovers that she never told him about his five year old son.
This is a fantastic story about two people who still love each other, but need to work very hard to find their way back to each other.
This book gives some insight into a firefighter’s life and how selfless and heroic first responders are.
I have always loved the Hidden Cove series and this book was no exception! Kathryn Shay hit it out of the park AGAIN with Kate and Rafe’s story. Kate left Rafe six years ago due to her fears over losing him – instead walking away from the love of her life and opting to have his baby without his knowledge. Both have tried to move on but neither is really able to do so. They might have been with other people but their love has never gone away. When Kate comes back to Hidden Cove to try to win Rafe back and introduce him to his son, she has to earn back his trust (even though his love never went away). When strange things start happening around Kate, Rafe realizes he still wants to protect her and now his son. This was a great book.
I was so excited to read this book and find out what happened to Rafe and Kate’s relationship after reading about it in a previous book. This is a well written story with real-life situations and wonderful insight into firefighter training and the job; on both physical and emotional levels. Ms Shay writes a strong female lead character, in Kate Cassidy. Although, she had cut and run in the past, she is back to try to make things right between Rafe and herself. Only, she didn’t know that Rafe has a fiance; and Rafe doesn’t know that she had his baby. Will these two string-willed characters figure out a way to make things work or will they continually butt heads and second-guess each other. Trust is a tenuous thread and works both ways.
I love visiting Hidden Cove and this was no different. Kate left Rafe six years ago and has now returned to Hidden Cove with her six year old son and wants to get back together with Rafe. Rafe is involved with another woman but his heart still belongs to Kate. Can two broken hearts mend and have a happily ever after?
This story is full of emotion, strong family ties and friendships. Well written firefighting. It was great to catch up with previous characters, but this book can be read as a stand alone. I highly recommend this book.
Great Book!
Kate left Rafe 5 years ago before they could be married and now she’s back…with his son! He’s engaged and she determined to get him back. Great story of working through the issues that sent Kate running the first time, building trust between them again and dealing with all the challenges of parenting/co-parenting. This is the 9th book in the series and I haven’t read many of them but had no problem reading and enjoying this story. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
“Take me Back” the 9th book in the Hidden Cove Firefighters series by Kathryn Shay is a great read. I loved all the books in the series. This one is about Kate Cassidy & Rafe Casella both who where firefighters in Hidden Cove.
Weeks before their wedding Kate finds out that she is pregnant and leaves Rafe. Kate feels that since they both have very risky jobs (firefighters) she didn’t want to put a child thru what she had been thru. She was orphaned and put into the foster system and never want a child of her own to have that experience. Six years later she widowed and returns to Hidden Cove and the academy and to get Rafe back. Meanwhile Rafe engaged to another woman and has yet to set a date. Can Kate & Rafe get passed all their issues and get their happily ever after with their son??
Read and found out. Kathryn Shay never disappoints. I received a advance copy for my honest review.
I loved returning to Hidden Grove and all my favorite fire fighters.
Rafe was broken when Kate left him six years ago. Two engagements later (one ended one still going) , he thinks he has accepted her leaving. Then Kate shows up on his doorstep and she has brought with her a huge surprise – his son Tommy.
Kate wants him back. Rafe is gun why and believes he can never trust her again.
As these two try to come to a normal with their new situation, Kate must also deal with the reaction of those who knew her and how they react to her leaving and returning.
This is a second chance book that is filled with heart, some harsh realities and an understanding that to move forward you need to forget or firgive the past.
Rafe has every right to be angry and not trust Kate, but he also can’t string her along.
Kate can want Rafe back but she can’t force him to care for her or use her son to get what she wants.
Can these two stop hurting each other and get a HEA , even if it’s not with each other?
What about Kate’s new surprise?
I was given this book for an honest voluntary review
ARC for honest review with no compensation
Take Me Back is book 9 in the Hidden Cove Firefighters series by Kathryn Shay and am loving this series!
Years ago Rafe and Kate were engaged but she up and left right with no warning a few months before the wedding. Now, 6 years later she decides to come back with a secret she has been hiding all these years and is determined to win him back. Only he wants nothing to do with her until the secret is revealed…
What happens next will keep you turning the pages to find out where they end up…Broken up for good or will they find their HEA?
Love this story. I am glad Kate & Rafe got another chance. Six years later they have matured. Their attraction to one another isn’t the issue but there’s a huge trust issue for them to overcome, not to mention availability. Their predicament sucked me right into their story, their emotional reactions are intense and seem so real. Very touching story touching on the consequences of rekindled love and more importantly the forgiveness required to get there and be at peace in a new relationship with an old love. When they are sad, it’s sad, in the happy moments they are so giddy and made me smile. The firefighter career is portrayed in a very informative and interesting way. Such a touching story, all-around. I received a free copy without obligation and am voluntarily reviewing.
Kathryn Shay is one of my very favorite authors, so I knew that I would love Take Me Back without a doubt and when I started reading it I felt like I was right there with them.
It’s the story of Rafe, whose was engaged to Kate who left town a couple months before their wedding, and it broke his heart. Six years later, she’s back with his son that he did not know about wanting a second chance. Rafe is engaged to another woman after finally moving on but he has to admit he still has feelings towards Kate, and they still have chemistry in spades, but he does not trust her.
Kate obviously knew that she made the biggest mistake of her life by leaving, because of her childhood fears and old insecurities. She felt because of her and Rafe being firefighters their child would be left alone if anything happened to them so she ran. After she married Chris because he was safe and he was killed in an accident she realized life is not always safe.
HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
I was given a free ARC copy for my honest opinion and it is Kathryn Shay ROCKS!
I was hooked from the first sentence. Ms. Shay writes a great book with believable characters. I loved visiting with my friends from Hidden Cove again.
It has been a while since I have read a Hidden Cove Firefighters book. I had forgotten how the series pulls you in at the beginning and holds on to the very last page.
I started out not liking Kate. I thought it took a pair of brass ones to show up like she did after 6 years with Rafe’s kid (Not baby, a 6 year old) telling him she wants to get back together. I didn’t like Rafe’s fiance, so that was no great loss.
I was surprised that Kate wanted to be indignant and have all of her hurt feelings after what she did to Rafe. I understood her background and her reasoning about what made her leave Rafe while she was pregnant, right before their wedding. Not saying I agreed, but I understood.
What I didn’t understand was her huffiness about a couple of decisions he made. After all, she had been gone for 6 years. She got married. Had her husband not passed away, Rafe may have never known he had a son. Kate had not proven herself to be trustworthy.
On top of that, she wanted to be upset about his lack of commitment. Really?! She had been back in town for TWO MONTHS, after being gone for SIX YRS, and she thought he was being wishy washy. Not to completely absolve Rafe, because he should have talked to her. He should have stepped back from a relationship until he came to terms with what he wanted from her. Kate’s expectations were more than a little unrealistic.
I did enjoy reading about the firefighter training, the issues upper management had to deal with, and some of the issues firefighters have to handle.
This book was about second chances, forgiveness, teamwork, loyalty, overcoming fears, and living each day to the fullest. The book also emphasizes the importance of our first responders. Very appropriate considering what the world is currently trying to get a handle on.
You will get a little heat, some romance, a touch of suspense, and a hint of mystery before Rafe and Kate reach their HEA. Definitely 4.5 stars.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Kate Cassidy left Rafe Casella 5 years ago and didn’t look back. Rafe was heartbroken but what he didn’t know was Kate was hurting too and she had a big secret she didn’t tell him before leaving. She is now back in Hidden Cove and she wants Rafe back and nothing will stop her. Rafe wants nothing to do with her until he finds out what secret she has been hiding.
Kathryn Shay writes the best stories on one of my favorite subjects, firefighters. She brings to life the realities of what firefighters live with everyday along with bringing stories of family, everyday life for these courageous people, their heartache while doing such an amazing job of saving people and property. She has extensive background knowledge on this subject so her stories reach down and tug at your heart when these characters are struggling to make life work. Take Me Back has a lovely plot where two people who once were so in love struggle to see if there is a way for a second chance to live life together and not be hurt again. I loved Rafe’s character as he was strong yet kind and tried to be fair in all he did. He didn’t let either of the two women who were in his life “railroad” him in doing what they wanted. He stepped up to what he thought was the right thing to do. I liked Kate’s character although I didn’t think the reason she left in the first place was a strong enough reason to destroy what she and Rafe had, also after only being in town 7 weeks she couldn’t understand why Rafe hadn’t committed to her. I felt like she expected too much after what she had done. Otherwise, she was a likeable character and took responsibility regarding all the people she hurt with her decision. This is a wonderful second chance at love and a lovely HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed Take Me Back.
It was great to be back in Kathryn Shay’s firefighter world. Kate left Rafe six years ago with a huge secret. She lived another lifetime and now she wants him back. Their relationship is fraught with challenges the first being Rafe is engaged to someone else. As they work through their challenges we have a chance to catch up with other characters from the series. I really enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 stars.