Title: The Fireman Who Loved Me by Jennifer Bernard
The Bachelor Fireman of San Gabriel Book One
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: C+
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
Captain Brody has been badly burned by his ex-wife. When he orders Ryan, his star fireman, to participate in a bachelor auction, little does he know he’s the one who will lose his heart.
Melissa McGuire is a brainy local news producer trying to get her career back on track. She can’t believe she’s being set up by her grandmother, who bid on a date with a fireman at the auction. She prefers the artsy type, not the tough, commanding , though clearly attractive, fire chief.
And yet, they can’t resist each other, especially once her ambitious news anchor assigns her the “Thanksgiving with the Firefighters” news special. Add in her grandmother’s matchmaking and the combined efforts of Captain Brody’s crew…can Brody help being the first bachelor to succumb to love, and the crazy rollercoaster ride of the Curse?
The Review:
Jennifer Bernard’s debut novel The Fireman Who Loved Me is a sweet romance with a dash of spicy lovemaking. A matchmaking Grandma, a sassy heroine and a battalion of sexy firemen are the perfect ingredients for one hot read.
Burned by her former boss and love interest, Melissa McGuire is concentrating on her career not her love life. She reluctantly agrees to go on a date with the bachelor her grandmother bids on at a charity auction. Although he is not her type, Melissa is instantly attracted to the sexy Captain Brody. Thrown together through her job, Melissa and Brody’s romance heats up until their pasts threaten their future.
Melissa and Brody are fun yet flawed main characters. Melissa’s dysfunctional childhood plays a big role in her personal and professional lives. Her relationship with her father is strained and practically non-existent. She is close to her feisty and lovable Grans and their interactions are absolutely delightful and one of the highlights of the novel. The sexual chemistry between Melissa and Brody leaps off the pages and it is a enjoyable watching their romance build. However, Melissa’s self-doubts undermine both her relationship with Brody and her career.
Brody is a commanding presence and his entire crew has a deep respect for their awe-inspiring captain. With a painful divorce in his past, Brody is not interested in a relationship. Although Brody is cool, calm and collected under pressure, he is surprised when Melissa manages to get under his skin. He is an honorable man whose good intentions inadvertently cause problems in his and Melissa’s relationship.
The relationship between Brody and Melissa begins as a friendship and slowly becomes romantic. Their lovemaking is smoking hot and quite passionate. Unfortunately the appearance of their exes derails their budding romance and the use of the “big misunderstanding” plot device drags out the conflict between them.
The scenes with Melissa’s grandmother and the firemen are fabulous and provide some of the funniest and most touching moments in The Fireman Who Loved Me. Melissa’s relationship with her father evolves throughout the course of the novel and the resolution of some of their differences is quite satisfying.
However two of the pivotal secondary characters are flat and rather one-dimensional. They have few redeeming qualities and their actions are so over the top and predictable that it detracts from an otherwise sound plot. There is a secondary storyline with the potential to provide added interest and depth to the novel, but the lack of follow through with it is rather disappointing.
Jennifer Bernard is an engaging writer and the concept of The Bachelor Fireman of San Gabriel series is unique and appealing. The Fireman Who Loved Me is an enjoyable romance that is entertaining and easy to read.
