Burn Zone
(Hot Shots #1)
Annabeth Albert
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Release Date April 27, 2020

Introducing Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series—the emotions and intensity of Chicago Fire with the raw, natural elements of Man vs. Wild.

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts…

Smoke jumper Lincoln Reid is speechless to see Jacob Hartman among his squad’s new recruits. Linc had promised his late best friend he’d stay away from his little brother. And yet here Jacob is…and almost instantly, the same temptation Linc has always felt around him is causing way too many problems.

Jacob gets everyone’s concerns, but he’s waited years for his shot at joining the elite smoke jumping team, hoping to honor his brother’s memory. He’s ready to tackle any challenge Linc throws his way, and senses the chemistry between them—chemistry Linc insists on ignoring—is still alive and kicking. This time, Jacob’s determined to get what he wants.

Close quarters and high stakes make it difficult for Linc to keep his resolve, never mind do so while also making sure the rookie’s safe. But the closer they get, the more Linc’s plan to leave at the end of the season risks him breaking another promise: the one his heart wants to make to Jacob.

This book is approximately 90,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Linc Reid is an experienced hot shot who has suffered the loss of his best friend and fellow firefighter. Linc promised his friend before he died that he would not respond to his little brother's crush. But Jacob is his own man and does not care what Linc promised his brother. Sure he has has been attracted to Linc for years even though there is an age difference. They even shared a moment in the past. But Linc is only partially out, guarded, and very private. He feels guilty, is resistant, and still considers Jacob off-limits. 

Jacob is a flirt, persistent, energetic, and now is a rookie on Linc's team. So they are in close contact and the sexual tension is mounting. They are being put in tense and dangerous situations, and Linc is finally starting to cave in.

When Jacob suggests sexing each other out of their system it seems like it could work so they could move on. But is that really going to work?

I really liked how different these two were. Linc tries to be in control, but Jacob just pushes his buttons. Their chemistry is off the charts, but they also connect on a deeper level due to their history. But Linc often feels he is too old or not good enough for Jacob. And he fears how Jacob's close-knit family would respond to any whisper of them together. So then Jacob often feels that he is not enough or not worth fighting for due to Linc's resistance.

I felt for them while they struggled with going back and forth and at times was just as frustrated as they were. Sometimes I seriously wanted to shake Linc because he was so self-deprecating and so focused on things that were external to the possible relationship. But I also had to have faith that their connection would  pull them through and that eventually Linc would put his needs first over old promises.

This is about priorities, overcoming fears, being vulnerable, and fighting for happiness. The camaraderie with their team and the family dynamics added depth to the story. Although I thought some of the issues just seemed too dramatic for the situation. The smoke jumper adventures added more intensity and danger. I am really interested in Garrick's book after the events in this one.  

Feel The Heat (3#)