Out tomorrow! <3
Lives are on the line at Engine 6 … and so are hearts.
Running an engine crew in the Chicago Fire Department is my dream job, and between that, my awesome kid, and my nosey sister, I lead a pretty great life. Bruised and burned by my marriage, I don’t have time for dating or drama, but I always have time for pie. And when I share a slice of cherry with a sweet redhead, followed by the hottest, dirtiest, most pulse-pounding kiss of my life, I start to rethink the possibilities.
Until that same woman walks into my firehouse and upends my well-ordered world.
Abby Sullivan is now a rookie firefighter on my crew and a threat to my self-control more dangerous than a five-alarm blaze. My job is to watch her six when all I want is to watch her fall into my bed. Lust has no place in the firehouse, and a distraction like Abby with her electric blue eyes, waves of flame-red hair, and freckles I want to map with my tongue, is one I can ill afford.
Because one wrong move … and it could all go up in smoke.
Up in Smoke is the first in the brand new Hot in Chicago Rookies series about firefighters navigating the trials of new jobs and sizzling romances as they find their place in the world and the love of a lifetime.
Review:
To be honest, I am always going to be 110% here for any new series from Kate Meader–firefighters, hockey players, chefs, it doesn’t matter–I’m pretty sure I’ll read whatever she wants to give us, since I *love* her writing. I’m not going to lie, though–her firefighters were my first love back in the day, and there’s always going to be a special place in my heart for the men and women of Station 6. So I was crazy excited to find out she’d be revisiting them in her latest series, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the first book. Up in Smoke, the start of her Hot in Chicago Rookies series, did not disappoint!
Abby and Roman’s story was–pun totally intended here–smoking hot! From their meet cute over pie a la mode to the last page, this was a book I didn’t want to put down. It’s got all the right kinds of drama–Abby’s need to prove herself to her father and her coworkers, and live up to her mother’s legacy; Roman’s struggles as a single parent and the challenge of taking over an established firehouse; and oh yeah, the danger of being crazy attracted to the new rookie at your station–and enough steam to keep your warm on even the coldest of winter nights. Through in more than a few LOL moments along the way, and this book is a win-win-WIN.
If you’re already a fan of Ms Meader’s Hot in Chicago series, be prepared to see more than a few favorites here, since our hero and heroine are stationed at the same station as her infamous Dempsey family. There’s even a hint of a future crossover with her hockey series here (Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels) that you’d better believe I will be haunting the author’s socials for a more definitive sign of 😉 For those new to Ms Meader’s books, though, no worries–this is also a perfect book to start with. Especially since you know you’ve got a whole backlist to binge through and love after you finish and while you’re waiting for her next installment in this one 🙂
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.