All Fired Up

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself back in Bliss River with several familiar names (and even mentions of Happy Cat!). Naomi and Jake’s second chance love story took time to ignite, to work past old hurts. But when it did, things between them really took off. The secret that would nearly break them was one we could see coming. I was glad that things were resolved fairly quickly. I’m really looking forward to Faith and Mick’s story. We get a preview inside All Fired Up (although the timing of it felt a bit weird to me) and again after the novel ends. I am happy to return to Bliss River anytime. Plus the narrators (Lili and Teddy) were incredible. They really brought Naomi and Jake (and Faith) to life.

I love second chances in love! In All Fired Up, Naomi and Jake have just that, when they stumble back into each others lives after 15 years. Naomi, the world renounced Chef, returns to her hometown to start a business with her sisters. She is ready to return to her roots and the quieter life she once had after being dumped by her playboy boyfriend and losing the baby she had with him. Upon returning, she knows that she can't avoid her first love Jake, and ready to make amends for breaking his heart. Jake, the hot fireman and widower, wants nothing to do with Naomi, especially forgive her for leaving him. How can Naomi get through to him? Lucky for Naomi, Jake takes part in the Fireman Auction to raise money for the firehouse, and she is the lucky high bidder. Within the month of dates, Jake and Naomi rediscover their love for one another. It wasn't easy, but their past experiences, loses and life lessons made what they share now so much stronger. Can what they have last this time around? Will Jake and Naomi have their happily ever after?
Lili Valente did an amazing job with these characters. I felt their pain, resentment, passion, lust and overall acceptance for one another throughout the book. Ahh... there is nothing like second chances in love.

There’s nothing hotter than a firefighter romance, am I right?! There is if he’s a stoic, brooding widower who’s ex is back in town after 15 years, hoping for at least friendship but really praying for a second chance. That right there is hotter than a five-alarm fire. And that’s what I got…and more…from book one of Lili Valente’s new small town series.
Naomi has made a name for herself since breaking Jake’s heart when they were eighteen years old and sneaking out of town with nothing but a Dear John letter left behind. She’s back now, starting up a bakery with her sister and a friend. She wants to patch up that mistake and hopefully get Jake to understand why she left. I love her first move out of the gate!
Jake is less than forgiving, though, so she’s got her work cut out for her. Fifteen years is a long time to hold a grudge but Jake has that strapped to his back like a oxygen tank. But half the fun is the journey, isn’t it. Of course, there may be a wee little secret she’s keeping from him. And we all know secrets have a way of being revealed at the most in opportune time…
Loved this couple, since second chance and friends to lovers are my romance-loving groove. Naomi is honest and real, Jake has that good guy heart buried under layers of hurt and the cast of secondary characters and support, but lots of potential for their own stories to be told. From plot to dialogue, it’s everything I expect from Ms. Valente…and she always delivers. I need more than five stars to give to this book!