Hot to the Touch - Jaci Burton (Berkley - May 2019)

Series: Brotherhood by Fire (Book 1)

Firefighter Jackson Donovan doesn't look back--as a rule. So when his past comes roaring back to life in the form of not-so-damsel-in-distress Becks Benning, the last thing he wants to do is relive old times. No matter how tempting she makes it seem...

Now thanks to his two interfering brothers, Becks is living with them while she looks for a new place and tries to pick up the pieces of her tattoo business that went up in flames. Which means a grown up, smokin' hot Becks is in his house, sharing meals, and digging up old wounds. And despite his better judgement, the more time he spends with this smart, artistic, incredible woman the more he wants her in his bed--and his future.

Becks always had it bad for Jackson. Unfortunately for her, not much has changed--he's still honorable, hard-working, sexy as sin--and closed off. But there's more than one way to get to a man's heart and if Jackson doesn't want to recall old memories, she'll just have to help him make new ones. Because now that she's found Jackson again, she's not letting him go.

Good start to the new series. I was already familiar with some of the story as I read the second book in the series, Ignite on Contact, earlier this year. That did not diminish my enjoyment of this book in any way. I liked having the backstory filled in. The book opened with a flashback to the night a homeless Jackson and his two brothers were rescued from a fire. That was the beginning of a new life for Jackson, Rafe, and Kal, as they were first fostered then adopted by the firefighter who rescued them and his wife. They grew up in a loving home and followed in their adoptive father's footsteps by becoming firefighters.

Fast forward to the present day when the response to a fire turns into an unexpected reunion. A tattoo business has gone up in flames, and Jackson must forcibly remove the owner from the premises as she tries to save her equipment. It isn't until the fire is over that Becks and Rafe realize why they are familiar to each. Rafe and Kal are pleased to reconnect. Jackson doesn't remember her and avoids thinking back to those days. When Rafe and Kal discover that Becks has nowhere to live now, they offer up a room in their house. Jackson reluctantly agrees, already sensing that Becks is going to upend his life.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Becks and Jackson. I felt a little sorry for Becks when Jackson didn't remember her. She had a massive crush on him when they were kids, and it hurt that he didn't recognize her. However, in the present day, the sparks between the two of them were hot. I wanted to shake Jackson at the beginning because the feelings that those sparks stirred up turned him into a jerk. He took out his frustration about those feelings on Becks with snide comments and unfounded accusations. I loved how Rafe and Kal called him out on his attitude, giving him the butt-kicking that he needed. Becks didn't cut him much slack, but she was also more understanding than she could have been.

The attraction between Becks and Jackson continued to build the more time they spent together. Though both intended to keep their relationship casual, it was evident that Becks's feelings were far from it. Jackson's feelings were stronger than he wanted to admit. The biggest obstacle between them was the way each of them handled the past. Becks embraced hers, accepting the ways that it had influenced who she is now. Part of that is giving back to the community by helping the homeless kids where she used to live. Jackson has buried his past deep, insisting that the past is just that, and there's no need to relive it. The harder that Becks tries to get him to open up, the more Jackson digs in his heels. I ached for Becks. She loved Jackson so much but felt like he was holding back. I ached for Jackson when he realized what he had done. I absolutely adored how Rafe and Kal both hounded him and supported him in facing his fears. I loved Jackson's big moment at the end, especially the depth of emotion revealed in his confession.

Having already read Rafe's story, now I can't wait for Kal's.

Ignite on Contact - Jaci Burton (Berkley - Feb 2020)

Series: Brotherhood by Fire (Book 2)

Relationships. Firefighter Rafe Donovan avoids them whenever possible. He loves dating women, but he makes sure they know up front that he's in it for fun, great sex and nothing more.

Fun. As an ER nurse and official caretaker of her disabled grandfather, Carmen Lewis doesn't have time for fun. But Rafe has been there for Carmen--and her grandfather--time and again, and he's clearly interested in her. She knows he's a player, but she's tempted by his charm and incredible body. And maybe a little fun isn't a bad thing, as long as she keeps her heart away from this fiery game she's enjoying with a very hot man.

Love. It doesn't take Rafe long to realize that until now he's only been playing at romance. With Carmen he feels searing passion and heart-tugging emotion for the first time. Now he has to convince Carmen that what they have together is the real deal.

This was a terrific story of family ties, letting go of the past, and finding love when you least expect it. Rafe is a firefighter with a reputation of giving the ladies a fun time, but not getting too close. His relationships rarely last more than a few weeks. Even his brothers have noticed and call him on the superficiality of it. That begins to change when he ends up in the ER under the care of his neighbor Carmen. He's been attracted to her for a while, but she shows no interest in him.

Carmen's life is busy. She has her job as an ER nurse that keeps her on her toes. She also lives with her grandfather and has been caring for him since his stroke. She appreciates the help that Rafe has provided, and he's certainly easy on the eyes. But she isn't so sure that getting involved with him would be a smart thing to do.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Rafe and Carmen. Carmen avoids dating and men, having been burned by a cheating ex-husband and is not sure she can trust her heart or her judgment. I liked how her friend Tess gave her a bit of a nudge out of her safe little box and encouraged her to see where the sparks between her and Rafe might go. It was fun to see Carmen make the overtures when she took food to Rafe when he was on medical leave. Rafe is all-in when he realizes that Carmen returns his interest and also doesn't want anything serious.

Though they started out intending just to have fun together, it didn't take long for the lines to blur. The chemistry between them is strong, but they also find themselves just enjoying being together. Rafe knows about Carmen's divorce and realizes that it will take time for her to trust him. Though his reputation is that of a player, Rafe also has a caring nature. I loved watching the little things he did for her, from foot rubs to helping her around her house. Carmen doesn't quite know what to make of him because he is so different than her ex. As those differences start to break down her walls, Carmen finds herself growing closer to Rafe. Because their jobs are so similar, both she and Rafe understand the toll that it can sometimes take on them. There's a fantastic scene where Carmen helps Rafe through a traumatic event at work, something that emphasizes just how deep their feelings have grown.

Just as it looks like their future is assured, Carmen's grandfather experiences a medical crisis. Carmen is swamped with guilt and pulls back, leaving Rafe devastated. I ached for both of them as Carmen's fears come between them. I loved how Rafe's mom helped him see that he shouldn't give up on them. At the same time, Carmen's grandfather showed her that life is too short to let the past dictate the future. I loved the ending and seeing how Rafe shows Carmen that he's there for her no matter what happens.

I loved the importance of family to both Carmen and Rafe. Carmen's relationship with her grandfather is a close one. Her grandparents raised her after her mother died, and he is all the family she has. Carmen tends to be a little overprotective since his stroke which he has no trouble pushing back about. Rafe had a rough start to life with drug dealer parents. He, Jackson, and Kal met when they were homeless street kids, and were later rescued from a fire by Mr. Donovan. They were taken in and adopted by the Donovans. I loved seeing the closeness and love in the Donovan family. The three brothers are there for each other when needed. They also have a great time teasing each other about anything and everything. The guys will also drop everything if their parents need them for something.

Though this is the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. That said, I want to go back and read Jackson's story, as it sounds like a good one, too. I also look forward to Kal's story.