Single Dad Burning Up

I’ve always loved a sweet contemporary romance. This one was about a single dad just trying to maneuver his way back into life for the sake of his daughter. Callan was such a sweet guy (but don’t tell anyone because it was supposed to be a secret). The guy couldn’t do no wrong, except for his fears, but he was human so that was allowed. Gemma was like the typical sweet woman who loved kids, except she had a stalker ex-boyfriend, Brad. That guy gave me the creeps. I pictured him all slimy in his cop uniform. I liked the relationship between Gemma and her sister Amanda, and wish I could have seen more. One thing I didn’t like about Gemma was she kept trying to hide things from her family. I couldn’t relate in that regard. If it was my safety over someone’s friendship, I’d choose my safety. The ending felt a bit rushed, and left me wanting an epilogue, perhaps. Overall, the story was sweet and a bit predictable. It would be good for when you just want to lounge around the house with a cup of whatever you like to drink, birds chirping outside, while Callan and Gemma play house.

Firefighters are my weak spot, so I’m predisposed to loving any hero in that profession. Add in the fact that he’s a single dad and it’s like catnip for this reader. Callan is all that and a bag of chips! The scenes with his daughter Kaitlyn are so sweet but he shows off his dirty talking steamy side in every scene he’s in with Gemma. Gemma was a fabulous character and I really appreciate the way that Ms. Fox showed her vulnerability but never made her a timid victim. She wasn’t afraid to vocalize to Callan what she wanted...and how she wanted it. The fact that they were old friends and comfortable with each other let their playful sides shine through. While I didn’t have a problem with the speed of their relationship, I thought the book ended a bit abruptly and I was missing some closure to the story, as a reader. That’s really my only “complaint”. Otherwise, this as a couldn’t-put-it-down read for me!