by: Kate Meader
Series: Hot in Chicago Rookies
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 22, 2022
Publisher: Kate Meader
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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.
Roman Rossi is a divorced single father who has recently moved to Chicago from New York, after finding himself in some hot water. He’s now one of the lieutenants at Engine 6. Abby Sullivan has wanted to be a firefighter since she was a little girl. Despite all the obstacles thrown in her path, she excelled and is now considered one of Chicago’s bravest.
Abby spends the night of graduation club-hopping with her two best friends, Jude Torres and Sam Killian, both also rookie firefighters. While the guys still want to celebrate, Abby decides to call it a night and go home. But first, she decides to stop by the all-night diner for pie. Well, not just any pie, but Fern’s Diner’s amazingly heaven-sent cherry pie with vanilla ice cream. Walking into the almost empty diner seems meant to be when there, sitting on the counter is a slice of cherry pie topped with vanilla ice cream. Even when she’s told the pie isn’t hers or meant for her she begs to differ. That is before the owner of said pie shows up.
Roman is biding his time before he goes home and tells his sister and daughter that his blind date stood him up. While he should be upset, he’s relieved. Turns out his slice of cherry pie is the last slice and he ends up sharing it with the stranger. Roman and Abby hit it off really well and they exchange phone numbers, with him saving her’s under “Cherry Pie” and her saving his under “Diner Dude”. They neglect to talk about their names or what they do for a living. But they have a serious connection and share a very memorable hot kiss. They have every intention of calling each for a date in the future.
Abby’s first day at Engine 6 is filled with nerves and nervous energy. This is, after all, the house her mother worked and died at. What Abby isn’t prepared for is to be introduced to her lieutenant and have it be the one man she can’t stop thinking about. By policy, the fact that the two shared a kiss should be reported. But Abby doesn’t want to give her father, Fire Commissioner Chuck Sullivan any more reason to question her ability. While Roman and Abby try to fight their attraction, it’s a losing battle. Not only do they risk their careers, but also their hearts and lives.
Roman and Abby are perfect for each other and complement each other well. I immediately liked Roman as a character. I didn’t feel the same about Abby. I didn’t appreciate her until close to the end of the story when my image of her finally appeared in my head. There's an age difference, but it works because Roman isn't trying to change Abby or make her conform. He's accepting. Abby always feels as though she needs to prove herself, which oftentimes leads to trouble. She’s strong, courageous, and has a huge heart. She’s just afraid of getting hurt.
There are some hilarious moments in Up in Smoke. However, there are also some serious moments and moments that will have you on the edge of your seat. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series because while I love everything Kate writes, my heart belongs to her hockey series, Chicago Rebels, and its spin-off, Rookie Rebels. The next book, Down in Flames combines both Hot in Chicago Rookies and Rookie Rebels. I can’t wait.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Someone once said that grief is a kind of unexpressed love, stuck inside you with no place to go.”
“Sometimes it’s easier to say you don’t care than to explain all the reasons why you do.”
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.**
Rating: 4.5
Purchase Up in Smoke from:
The Hot in Chicago Series:
Flirting with Fire ~ Review (Hot in Chicago, #1)
Melting Point ~ Review (Hot in Chicago, #1.5)
Playing with Fire ~ Review (Hot in Chicago, #2)
Sparking the Fire ~ Review (Hot in Chicago, #3)
The Hot in Chicago Rookies Series:
Down in Flames releases December 6, 2022
Places to find Kate Meader:
Great review.
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