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After The Ashes #1
The Firefighter's Heart
One year ago tonight, I lost my mom.
I picked up a late shift at the diner because I couldn't stand to be alone in my apartment.
Suddenly, the doors swung open and every head turned, and my firefighter neighbor walked in cradling a newborn against his chest.
He walked straight to my table and said, "Someone left her at the station tonight. She doesn't have a family."
She was crying in his arms, and when I looked at her tiny face I felt something crack open in my chest.
My mind was racing, and I started thinking, what would my mother have done?
I reached for her before I could stop myself, and her tiny little fingers curled into my shirt like she already knew she was safe.
He watched me hold her, then stepped in behind me and growled,
"She needs a mother... She needs you."
I picked up a late shift at the diner because I couldn't stand to be alone in my apartment.
Suddenly, the doors swung open and every head turned, and my firefighter neighbor walked in cradling a newborn against his chest.
He walked straight to my table and said, "Someone left her at the station tonight. She doesn't have a family."
She was crying in his arms, and when I looked at her tiny face I felt something crack open in my chest.
My mind was racing, and I started thinking, what would my mother have done?
I reached for her before I could stop myself, and her tiny little fingers curled into my shirt like she already knew she was safe.
He watched me hold her, then stepped in behind me and growled,
"She needs a mother... She needs you."
- GenresRomance
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2026
282 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 25, 2026
A firefighter romance
This was a typical romance and I really liked the characters. There were some (hopefully) style choices that made the story seem clunky. I think the author was going for a dual POV but there were at least two instances where I said to myself, "I just read that exact paragraph. " I hope it was a choice and not bad editing, bit I can't say with certainty. I'd probably read more in the series, just because I like the characters.
This was a typical romance and I really liked the characters. There were some (hopefully) style choices that made the story seem clunky. I think the author was going for a dual POV but there were at least two instances where I said to myself, "I just read that exact paragraph. " I hope it was a choice and not bad editing, bit I can't say with certainty. I'd probably read more in the series, just because I like the characters.
February 13, 2026
Absolutely fantastic book. Made me cry so much when Lucy spoke about losing her mum. As someone who has also lost her mum to a cancer battle, it really hit hard but made me feel heard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2026
Book is well written, but books about grief and love after loss aren’t for me. It feels futile when every single interaction is about how much someone misses another person. 50 percent through the book and the main theme is both people not letting themselves be happy because someone else is dead. It doesn’t make for a good time. 2 stars cause again, good grammar and even a decent plot. Just not into grief.
February 16, 2026
Lucy & Cal
The storyline was very good it could have been executed better. First, there’s absolutely no spice in this book so if you’re looking for a story with spice, this is not it. It is a good story of two people overcoming the grief of the loss of the same person. That part kind of got drawn out in the conversations that they needed to have with each other did not happen until the end of the book. I don’t overly care for books where the couple doesn’t get together until the last couple chapters. For me, it would’ve been better for them to get together as a couple and then navigate their way together with the baby and the ex while overcoming their grief and navigating their relationship. There are some inconsistencies to me on time frames and small details, which are pet peeves are mine when I read a book. He states at the beginning that he had a house but then rented the apartment to be next to her after she moved in there. There’s no mention ever of his house again. And when he was talking about his apartment, he had mentioned buying things three years ago for his apartment with anticipation of his friends coming over. But he had only been in this disappointment for six months. When she pulls him out of the fire, he states she knows the restaurant because of five months working in it but by then not all it was at six months, but it was greater than six months. At the beginning of the book when they introduce Riley, it stated that she cares for her 12-year-old sister, then later she’s 11 years old, then at the end of the book she’s 12-year-old again but it’s a year later. Little inconsistencies like that distract from the book for me.
But overall, I think it was an easy read with a decent storyline.
The storyline was very good it could have been executed better. First, there’s absolutely no spice in this book so if you’re looking for a story with spice, this is not it. It is a good story of two people overcoming the grief of the loss of the same person. That part kind of got drawn out in the conversations that they needed to have with each other did not happen until the end of the book. I don’t overly care for books where the couple doesn’t get together until the last couple chapters. For me, it would’ve been better for them to get together as a couple and then navigate their way together with the baby and the ex while overcoming their grief and navigating their relationship. There are some inconsistencies to me on time frames and small details, which are pet peeves are mine when I read a book. He states at the beginning that he had a house but then rented the apartment to be next to her after she moved in there. There’s no mention ever of his house again. And when he was talking about his apartment, he had mentioned buying things three years ago for his apartment with anticipation of his friends coming over. But he had only been in this disappointment for six months. When she pulls him out of the fire, he states she knows the restaurant because of five months working in it but by then not all it was at six months, but it was greater than six months. At the beginning of the book when they introduce Riley, it stated that she cares for her 12-year-old sister, then later she’s 11 years old, then at the end of the book she’s 12-year-old again but it’s a year later. Little inconsistencies like that distract from the book for me.
But overall, I think it was an easy read with a decent storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2026
Loved the story but sack the editor
So for the story, I would give this a 5.
I do think there should be trigger warnings at the front (and I don’t believe that there was). Having been through a parental bereavement from the same condition, it was hard.
However, I don’t know who the editor was, but it was shocking. All the way through.
Examples
- Moved into the apartment 6 months ago, but then is saying how the guest bedroom hasn’t been used in 6 years.
- Baby name is mentioned before it is even agreed she would be staying. And then it’s explained in the next page.
- It jumped in timelines. It would be that this was all happening 6 months after moving back but it seemed to be 6 months for forever.
- Riley - apparently her and her sister do not have birthdays.
All of this should have been picked up by an editor. It really let the book down. And they are just some of the big ones, not everything by any stretch. It’s disappointing as it’s a good book with great potential. But it has put me off reading the next book as I don’t want to keep finding editing mistakes.
So for the story, I would give this a 5.
I do think there should be trigger warnings at the front (and I don’t believe that there was). Having been through a parental bereavement from the same condition, it was hard.
However, I don’t know who the editor was, but it was shocking. All the way through.
Examples
- Moved into the apartment 6 months ago, but then is saying how the guest bedroom hasn’t been used in 6 years.
- Baby name is mentioned before it is even agreed she would be staying. And then it’s explained in the next page.
- It jumped in timelines. It would be that this was all happening 6 months after moving back but it seemed to be 6 months for forever.
- Riley - apparently her and her sister do not have birthdays.
All of this should have been picked up by an editor. It really let the book down. And they are just some of the big ones, not everything by any stretch. It’s disappointing as it’s a good book with great potential. But it has put me off reading the next book as I don’t want to keep finding editing mistakes.
February 8, 2026
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a spicy romance novel. Boy was I wrong. The story was such a good story that not having spice did not affect it. The grief, the loss, the new love, the guilt of the new love. It all came together perfectly. Such a sweet story of finding love after such a terrible loss. Realizing that it’s ok to love again and it’s ok to find love in a place that you wouldn’t expect it. I don’t know if the story necessarily needed Gabrielle in it but she was definitely a sweet addition.
February 14, 2026
Sweet Story (deceptive cover)
Don’t be scare away by the shirtless man on the cover. There actually no physical entanglement in this book. It is a very sweet story that included a lot of intimate moments between two people trying to heal from the death of a mutual family member and move on. It is slow so not for romance readers who like faster paced books or high intensity but it has a lot of depth and slow burn later that I think some of the faster paced books lack. Very sweet emotional love story.
Don’t be scare away by the shirtless man on the cover. There actually no physical entanglement in this book. It is a very sweet story that included a lot of intimate moments between two people trying to heal from the death of a mutual family member and move on. It is slow so not for romance readers who like faster paced books or high intensity but it has a lot of depth and slow burn later that I think some of the faster paced books lack. Very sweet emotional love story.
February 13, 2026
Promises Kept
Cal and Lucy,s loss of the same person in a fire was the beginning of a discovery neither were prepared for. Their relationship grew when Lucy was being stalked by an ex. Cal knew she needed protection and lived for a promise to his friend Mateo, to always keep Lucy safe. Love for a baby, togetherness and a tragic fire seals their love. A great supporting cast throughout the story.
Cal and Lucy,s loss of the same person in a fire was the beginning of a discovery neither were prepared for. Their relationship grew when Lucy was being stalked by an ex. Cal knew she needed protection and lived for a promise to his friend Mateo, to always keep Lucy safe. Love for a baby, togetherness and a tragic fire seals their love. A great supporting cast throughout the story.
February 16, 2026
Drawn out
So this is a first time author for me. This story is very clean. It has many redundant episodes of past traumas. There are a few near kiss scenes but zero spice again not even a kiss. The language is clean which I appreciate. All in all it wasn’t bad just not great. Not sure I will read anymore by this author.
So this is a first time author for me. This story is very clean. It has many redundant episodes of past traumas. There are a few near kiss scenes but zero spice again not even a kiss. The language is clean which I appreciate. All in all it wasn’t bad just not great. Not sure I will read anymore by this author.
January 24, 2026
Better than I expected!!!
I bought a series of books because I saw an ad on Facebook. I was like I’ll give it a try. I laughed I cried I felt like I was part of their story. Please read this book.
I bought a series of books because I saw an ad on Facebook. I was like I’ll give it a try. I laughed I cried I felt like I was part of their story. Please read this book.
January 28, 2026
I’VE BEEN ROBBED
There’s literally no spice in this book. None, barely even a hint of detail in the makeout scene. You’re telling me that a cover with a shirtless man has NO SPICE?! Someone call Nev and Max because I’ve been catfished.
There’s literally no spice in this book. None, barely even a hint of detail in the makeout scene. You’re telling me that a cover with a shirtless man has NO SPICE?! Someone call Nev and Max because I’ve been catfished.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2026
excellent!
New author to me. Great storyline. Loss, sadness, sweetness & great friends. Main characters are well written and their story is fully developed despite this being a bit of a quick read. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
New author to me. Great storyline. Loss, sadness, sweetness & great friends. Main characters are well written and their story is fully developed despite this being a bit of a quick read. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
February 8, 2026
First off this is a new author to me. She gives you a story of loss for both Cal and Lucy. Mateo was Cal's best friend and co-worker and was Lucy fiance. Promises were made and they never expected to get feelings. If you are looking for a spicy story this isnt the book. It's a good clean book.
February 9, 2026
Cal & Lucy
Sweet slow burn romance. You really go through it with Cal & Lucy, the attraction, the guilt, the love for one another. Even though Mateo wasn't someone they felt they could talk about, he was someone they could remember together.
Sweet slow burn romance. You really go through it with Cal & Lucy, the attraction, the guilt, the love for one another. Even though Mateo wasn't someone they felt they could talk about, he was someone they could remember together.
February 11, 2026
The female main character in this book had gone through so much that at times my heart ached for her. I felt the sadness and grief also on the male main character and was so glad when they finally got together.
January 30, 2026
Loved it!
This was an amazing read. The twist and turns in the plot gave it an edge. The characters emotions were felt. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This was an amazing read. The twist and turns in the plot gave it an edge. The characters emotions were felt. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 3, 2026
great book
Lucy and Cal were both drowning in grief and guilt. Eventually they found each other and began to heal. They really deserved that HEA.
Lucy and Cal were both drowning in grief and guilt. Eventually they found each other and began to heal. They really deserved that HEA.
February 4, 2026
.
This book is a heart wrecker thru and thru. The characters are so easy to get wrapped up in while they struggle with their trauma.
This book is a heart wrecker thru and thru. The characters are so easy to get wrapped up in while they struggle with their trauma.
February 4, 2026
KU) 4.5 ��🌶 Great love story!
February 7, 2026
Couldn't finish. RA
I read half way the story line is great but it I didn't fell it..I read like I was reading it and not part of the story.
I read half way the story line is great but it I didn't fell it..I read like I was reading it and not part of the story.
February 8, 2026
Slow
Heart and soul
Small town
Second chance
Slow burn
Damaged characters that heal together.
They fell in love and become a family.
Heart and soul
Small town
Second chance
Slow burn
Damaged characters that heal together.
They fell in love and become a family.
February 11, 2026
very cute, very sweet
No spice
No spice
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews