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Hidden Cove Firefighters #1
After the Fire
Detective Megan Hale comes to Hidden Cove, leaving behind painful memories of her policeman husband killed in the line of duty. But when she meets fireman Mitch Malvaso, Megan's heart is set ablaze-even if it knows the risks.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2003
1360 people are currently reading
2327 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
173 books501 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
September 14, 2011
There is a lot going on in this book...almost too much. So many story lines to follow and it got bit confusing. Some of the drama, and there was a lot of it, was a over the top. So much so that I felt like I was reading a soap opera. Yet I couldn't stop reading...I couldn't BELIEVE I kept reading! The friends to lovers relationship between Grady and Jenn is the one that was the most enjoyable, and pretty much resolved itself by the end of the book. So what am I going to do now you ask?! I'm going to read the next book. Why?! Although my eyes rolled around in my head and I verbally berated the characters, proclaiming many times "Really??", I NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS IN HIDDEN COVE!! How pathetic. Okay it wasn't that bad and it was a freebie...I just convinced myself to buy the next book! Hidden Cove here I come...
December 3, 2018
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Amazing!
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History that engages the reader from beginning to end. All very interesting and well written.
All characters are very interesting and conflicts very realistic.
We have several stories unfolding simultaneously.
The three brothers are firefighters who survived a fire that killed and injured several people.
From this tragedy they resolve to change various things in their lives.
The older brother (Mitch) is in an unhappy marriage and the children are abused by his wife. His wife is a crazy bitch.
The sister (Jen) wants to have a child.
The other brother (Zac) is a womanizer who did not respect his wife or children and is a serial cheater. Before the fire the wife tired of being cheated and being disrespected she divorced him. He is sorry and trying to prove that he is no longer the irresponsible bastard.
We have our heroine (Megan) who moves to the city after losing her father and who is a detective. She is very nice and has a project to help the orphaned children of the deceased firefighters.
Enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
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History that engages the reader from beginning to end. All very interesting and well written.
All characters are very interesting and conflicts very realistic.
We have several stories unfolding simultaneously.
The three brothers are firefighters who survived a fire that killed and injured several people.
From this tragedy they resolve to change various things in their lives.
The older brother (Mitch) is in an unhappy marriage and the children are abused by his wife. His wife is a crazy bitch.
The sister (Jen) wants to have a child.
The other brother (Zac) is a womanizer who did not respect his wife or children and is a serial cheater. Before the fire the wife tired of being cheated and being disrespected she divorced him. He is sorry and trying to prove that he is no longer the irresponsible bastard.
We have our heroine (Megan) who moves to the city after losing her father and who is a detective. She is very nice and has a project to help the orphaned children of the deceased firefighters.
Enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
January 12, 2017
I stopped reading at 10%. I gave it a one as the storyline had promise. Unfortunately, I could not read any further after numerous obscene words, the use of Jesus' name in vain, and the sexual innuendos. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean read.
November 3, 2019
If you like long soap opera with drama, dead ex... This is your book!
This is a book about one family, most of them and firefighters, they are like 5 brothers/sisters and 3 of them are firefighters or in emergency there.
We are getting the story about 3 of them. Almost. Because we know how one of them did get a little HEA for him. Another 2 are... On their way to get it. I did like the author's style, I'd like to read more from this author. But for my taste this book could be 3books and not big long, sometimes slow one...
A lot of family drama, cheating, sometimes it felt like soap opera.
This is a book about one family, most of them and firefighters, they are like 5 brothers/sisters and 3 of them are firefighters or in emergency there.
We are getting the story about 3 of them. Almost. Because we know how one of them did get a little HEA for him. Another 2 are... On their way to get it. I did like the author's style, I'd like to read more from this author. But for my taste this book could be 3books and not big long, sometimes slow one...
A lot of family drama, cheating, sometimes it felt like soap opera.
July 7, 2011
This was a good book. It would have been even better if I hadn't felt like a fly on someone's wall. The book didn't need the language, specifically the "f" word or the sex to make it a good book. I thought the author could have spent more time fleshing the story out with the fires. They are suspicious fires, but hardly anything is resolved by the ending.
September 13, 2025
Her extensive research into firefighting and firefighters shows. I like how all 3 siblings romances are in one book. They complete each other with their sibling rivalries and love. I think 3 books on the Malvasos would be stretched too thin.
August 18, 2019
I was absorbed in this firefighting book with multiple romances. I liked all the family dynamics and longtime best friends. Sometimes the romantic conflicts seemed immature although PTSD is complex and the overall exploits in the story were good. Injured firefighter siblings Mitch and Jenn decide to better their lives as they watch a warehouse burn.
May 20, 2010
The whole time i was reading this book I felt like I was reading something from the beginning of Kathryn Shay's writing career. Which may be so since this is the only book I have read by her and I haven't looked into her work. Although, I do have to say that I was interested enough in her style that this probably won't be the last book by her that I will read.
The story itself moved a bit slow. It starts out with the fire and the siblings planning on changing their lives but nothing happened for almost 100 pages after that decision. I did, however, like the fact that the book wasn't centered on just one romance. That can get boring sometimes, especially when nothing else is happening in the book.
Something that I didn't like about the book was that there was a certain mystery behind the fires that wasn't talked about. Those fires were a major part of the book and had I not read the preview to the sequal I would have been very dissapointed. Kathryn Shay spends some time talking about the fires, the second specifically, but never hints at something being behind them. she could have set up the next book a little bit better if she talked about something sinester being behind those fires so that the next book doesn't just come out of left field.
Another thing that could have been improved upon is the ending. The book just kinda ends in the middle of nowhere with a lot of unresolved issues. The main one being what happens with Zach. The way the book ends with him still being so depressed you don't know whether he's gonna end up with his ex or that woman from the fire department or if he's gonna end up killing himself. Although she does talk about Zach in the next book she shouldn't talk about him that much if she's not going to resolve his story in the book. That is one of the main reason I looked for the next book... I don't like unresolved issues.
The story itself moved a bit slow. It starts out with the fire and the siblings planning on changing their lives but nothing happened for almost 100 pages after that decision. I did, however, like the fact that the book wasn't centered on just one romance. That can get boring sometimes, especially when nothing else is happening in the book.
Something that I didn't like about the book was that there was a certain mystery behind the fires that wasn't talked about. Those fires were a major part of the book and had I not read the preview to the sequal I would have been very dissapointed. Kathryn Shay spends some time talking about the fires, the second specifically, but never hints at something being behind them. she could have set up the next book a little bit better if she talked about something sinester being behind those fires so that the next book doesn't just come out of left field.
Another thing that could have been improved upon is the ending. The book just kinda ends in the middle of nowhere with a lot of unresolved issues. The main one being what happens with Zach. The way the book ends with him still being so depressed you don't know whether he's gonna end up with his ex or that woman from the fire department or if he's gonna end up killing himself. Although she does talk about Zach in the next book she shouldn't talk about him that much if she's not going to resolve his story in the book. That is one of the main reason I looked for the next book... I don't like unresolved issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2011
After the Fire was an amazing book! I downloaded it as a free e- book from Amazon. My daughter read it first and insisted we needed the other 2 books in the series! This is not your typical romance novel. First, it centers on a whole family, the Malvaso Family, three of whom are firefighters, Mitch, Jenny and Zach. Second, one plot line centers on Mitch and his marriage, and the women he meets and falls in love with. I generally don't like these kinds of plot lines. I believe in the sanctity of marriage, but in this case I really felt it was the only option for Mitch, and (big for me) he never cheats on his wife, he ends things before he begins them with Meagan.
So, onto the story. There is a huge fire in Hidden Cove, New Yrok where the Malvaso family lives and works. All three Malvaso firefighters are caught in the collapse of the Sinco building, All are injured, but many of their fellow officers are killed. This fire causes them to re-think their lives and decide they need to make some changes, really LIVE their lives and look for their own happiness.
Mitch deciedes he needs to end his loveless marriage and reconnect with his children. His wife, Cynthia is unstable, a horrible mother, self-centered and grasping. His children are out of control. Sneaking out at night,engaging in dangerous behaviors, and rebelling against their mother. Into Mitch's life walks detective Meagan Hale. A transplant from the big city, who just lost her father on the job, and was widowed (also on the job) She is not perfect, in a lot of ways she is as flawed and broken as Mitch is, but, together they can both become whole.
Jenny Malvosa is twice divorced. She feels she will never have a lasting romantic relationship, but she wants a child. She wants her longtime friend Grady to be the "donor", But Grady, feeling the same way wants to make a baby the traditional way and be that babies father too. But, Grandy has a horrible tragedy in his past, the death of his 7 month pregnant wife, and he has a lot of trouble dealing with the changing relationship he and Jenny have. He can't loose her as a friend, she is all he has ever had, but can they have a sexual relationship and still be best friends?
Zach Malvosa is a F**kup! He ruined hsi own life by cheating on his wife and ignoring his kids. He was self centered and stupid. Now he's changed. He sees the mistakes he made in the past and wants to make amends. To reconnect with his family. But, is it too late...?
Than add in the 2 non- firefighter in the family, Paul and Connie, they have always felt separated from their siblings, and are angry and hurt.
When Meagan approaches Mitch with the idea of starting a camp for children who have lost loved ones in the line of duty, both police and firefighters, the project brings the family and the whole town together with a common goal!
This book was an emotional roller coaster, and what a ride!
So, onto the story. There is a huge fire in Hidden Cove, New Yrok where the Malvaso family lives and works. All three Malvaso firefighters are caught in the collapse of the Sinco building, All are injured, but many of their fellow officers are killed. This fire causes them to re-think their lives and decide they need to make some changes, really LIVE their lives and look for their own happiness.
Mitch deciedes he needs to end his loveless marriage and reconnect with his children. His wife, Cynthia is unstable, a horrible mother, self-centered and grasping. His children are out of control. Sneaking out at night,engaging in dangerous behaviors, and rebelling against their mother. Into Mitch's life walks detective Meagan Hale. A transplant from the big city, who just lost her father on the job, and was widowed (also on the job) She is not perfect, in a lot of ways she is as flawed and broken as Mitch is, but, together they can both become whole.
Jenny Malvosa is twice divorced. She feels she will never have a lasting romantic relationship, but she wants a child. She wants her longtime friend Grady to be the "donor", But Grady, feeling the same way wants to make a baby the traditional way and be that babies father too. But, Grandy has a horrible tragedy in his past, the death of his 7 month pregnant wife, and he has a lot of trouble dealing with the changing relationship he and Jenny have. He can't loose her as a friend, she is all he has ever had, but can they have a sexual relationship and still be best friends?
Zach Malvosa is a F**kup! He ruined hsi own life by cheating on his wife and ignoring his kids. He was self centered and stupid. Now he's changed. He sees the mistakes he made in the past and wants to make amends. To reconnect with his family. But, is it too late...?
Than add in the 2 non- firefighter in the family, Paul and Connie, they have always felt separated from their siblings, and are angry and hurt.
When Meagan approaches Mitch with the idea of starting a camp for children who have lost loved ones in the line of duty, both police and firefighters, the project brings the family and the whole town together with a common goal!
This book was an emotional roller coaster, and what a ride!
May 18, 2014
Listening to audio for review on Audiogals.net. (4/14)
After the Fire by Kathryn Shay
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer
Reviewed by Carrie
Four years ago when I read After the Fire, the first in Shay's Hidden Cove Firefighters series, I thoroughly enjoyed the family dynamics, the suspense aspects, and the not-always-perfect romances. Two years later, while in a reading slump, I revisited the series knowing it would keep my interest. So when I was offered the chance to review the first book of the series on audio, I snapped it up. But the "third time's a charm" didn't quite work out this time, and I'm left wondering if my lukewarm reaction to the book was due to the somewhat lackluster narration, the fact that the melodrama of the book was more evident in audio form, or because I know the story so well and didn't get that zing of suspense or surprise.
This trilogy centers around three firefighting siblings who have experienced a tragic fire and vowed to make important changes in their lives as a result. The oldest, Mitch, vows to do something about his failing marriage. Zach vows to stop womanizing and try to win back his ex-wife. Jen decides after two failed marriages to give up on that and have a baby on her own. After the Fire starts all three stories, and a couple more, but focuses on Mitch and Jenn. Mitch is unhappy, but is staying in his marriage for his children's sake when he meets Megan, a police investigator. Meanwhile, Jenn approaches her best friend, Grady, and asks him to father her child. There are also sub-plots about a camp for the children of fallen firefighters and policemen, the investigation into the tragic fire, and shorter story arcs involving the daily work of the firefighters.
Read the rest of the review at:
http://www.audiogals.net/2014/05/afte...
Reread 1/6/12
While the tale of the firefighter family sometimes resembles a soap opera, I still enjoyed the book as much the second time. I like the fire fighting details, Shay puts heart in her less-than-perfect characters.
After the Fire by Kathryn Shay
Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer
Reviewed by Carrie
Four years ago when I read After the Fire, the first in Shay's Hidden Cove Firefighters series, I thoroughly enjoyed the family dynamics, the suspense aspects, and the not-always-perfect romances. Two years later, while in a reading slump, I revisited the series knowing it would keep my interest. So when I was offered the chance to review the first book of the series on audio, I snapped it up. But the "third time's a charm" didn't quite work out this time, and I'm left wondering if my lukewarm reaction to the book was due to the somewhat lackluster narration, the fact that the melodrama of the book was more evident in audio form, or because I know the story so well and didn't get that zing of suspense or surprise.
This trilogy centers around three firefighting siblings who have experienced a tragic fire and vowed to make important changes in their lives as a result. The oldest, Mitch, vows to do something about his failing marriage. Zach vows to stop womanizing and try to win back his ex-wife. Jen decides after two failed marriages to give up on that and have a baby on her own. After the Fire starts all three stories, and a couple more, but focuses on Mitch and Jenn. Mitch is unhappy, but is staying in his marriage for his children's sake when he meets Megan, a police investigator. Meanwhile, Jenn approaches her best friend, Grady, and asks him to father her child. There are also sub-plots about a camp for the children of fallen firefighters and policemen, the investigation into the tragic fire, and shorter story arcs involving the daily work of the firefighters.
Read the rest of the review at:
http://www.audiogals.net/2014/05/afte...
Reread 1/6/12
While the tale of the firefighter family sometimes resembles a soap opera, I still enjoyed the book as much the second time. I like the fire fighting details, Shay puts heart in her less-than-perfect characters.
July 14, 2016
4.5 Stars
This audiobook surprised me. I purchased it because it was on sale and it looked interesting, but other than that I had no idea what it was about. It centered around three siblings who work for the fire department; Mitch, Jenn and Zach. After almost dying in a disastrous fire, they decided to make drastic changes in their lives.
Mitch, who has been living in a dead marriage, decides he needs to be happy again. Jenn decides she wants to have a baby, and Zach decides to be a better man. Of the three stories, I liked Jenn’s the best. Her and Grady’s story was agonizing at times, and beautiful at others; I loved every minute of it. I’m glad Mitch’s story went as it did; had he turned out to be a cheating bastard, I would have hated him. I’m still not really sure I liked the whole relationship he had with Megan while he was married, even though nothing happened. It was still an emotional relationship; however Mitch’s wife was such an evil troll, you really can’t feel sorry for her. Zach’s story doesn’t feel finished and reading the next books blurb proves it isn’t. However, I didn’t feel bad for him considering all he did.
The authenticity and emotions of the characters stand out the most to me; along with the imagery Shay depicted, in fighting fires and rescuing people, this read as a real life drama brought to life, and immersed me in a world I didn’t want to come out of....Sara
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
This audiobook surprised me. I purchased it because it was on sale and it looked interesting, but other than that I had no idea what it was about. It centered around three siblings who work for the fire department; Mitch, Jenn and Zach. After almost dying in a disastrous fire, they decided to make drastic changes in their lives.
Mitch, who has been living in a dead marriage, decides he needs to be happy again. Jenn decides she wants to have a baby, and Zach decides to be a better man. Of the three stories, I liked Jenn’s the best. Her and Grady’s story was agonizing at times, and beautiful at others; I loved every minute of it. I’m glad Mitch’s story went as it did; had he turned out to be a cheating bastard, I would have hated him. I’m still not really sure I liked the whole relationship he had with Megan while he was married, even though nothing happened. It was still an emotional relationship; however Mitch’s wife was such an evil troll, you really can’t feel sorry for her. Zach’s story doesn’t feel finished and reading the next books blurb proves it isn’t. However, I didn’t feel bad for him considering all he did.
The authenticity and emotions of the characters stand out the most to me; along with the imagery Shay depicted, in fighting fires and rescuing people, this read as a real life drama brought to life, and immersed me in a world I didn’t want to come out of....Sara
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
February 16, 2016
I enjoyed much of this book. This is not a typical romance in which the hero and heroine meet in a cute way early on and then some circumstances keep them apart until the end. This is more complicated because these men and women have histories together from working at the same firehouse and several of the firefighter/paramedics are siblings with messy pasts and presents. There was a major fire that injured several of them and killed some others six months before the story starts. Three of the survivors vowed to do a better job with their lives after having surviving something they might not have survived—and they know that while dying on the job is rare in their profession, it’s possible. It’s these three people whose stories Shay focuses on. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and a few places where I had to make an effort to keep reading, but the action scenes were fun and I liked that these characters had legitimate hurdles to overcome to get what they wanted.
May 5, 2017
The first book in the Firefighter Series and my favorite of the series. I borrow this from a friend not expecting to like it that much but wanting to read it. Within the first few sentences I was hooked. My friend gave me the book and I cannot tell you how many time I have read it. I can't seem to get enough of Mitch Malvaso, the sexy firefighting hero of the novel, and Megan Hale, the crime fighting heroine. Their story is beautiful and inspiring, and I am glad that their relationship continues to develop throughout the rest of the series.
May 9, 2015
This novel is peopled with very endearing characters and moves through an intriguing story line. The four or five sex scenes seem out of place and stilted as if they were just edited in after the book was written. Very odd.
April 13, 2019
*3.5 STARS*
There were a lot of story lines going on with this one and it made it hard for me to feel like it was focused on one couple. And because of that, I didn't feel like much got resolved. I guess we'll get more of these stories in the next book but the blurb makes it appear that we will be getting new characters introduced as well. I'm just not sure how I feel about that but I really do want to know what's going to happen with Mitch and Megan, Grady and Gen, Zach and possibly Brennan.
So because I can't just not find out what happens, I'm going to likely go to the next book in the series if it's on the audible romance package.
There were a lot of story lines going on with this one and it made it hard for me to feel like it was focused on one couple. And because of that, I didn't feel like much got resolved. I guess we'll get more of these stories in the next book but the blurb makes it appear that we will be getting new characters introduced as well. I'm just not sure how I feel about that but I really do want to know what's going to happen with Mitch and Megan, Grady and Gen, Zach and possibly Brennan.
So because I can't just not find out what happens, I'm going to likely go to the next book in the series if it's on the audible romance package.
August 6, 2022
I absolutely loved this first book in The Firefighter Trilogy and plan to continue the trilogy for sure. I loved all of the various romances that took place even if they were hard to separate at times. Mitch is the perfect exemplary sexy hero of the book. And his love interest, Megan, is a true heroine in her own right. I liked all of the characters and I must say that some scenes made me blush a little and fantasize. lol
November 14, 2011
I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and since I like firefighters and small town settings, After the Fire fit the bill. While this is a romance, it's not your typical romance. The hero is married, the heroine a widow still working through the death of her husband and the problems they had before he was killed. It's not an easy road before them. The secondary romance is a friends to lovers romance which I enjoy but when the two people are beyond stubborn, it gets to be tiresome.
Megan Hale is tired of the big city and ready for a change. She takes a job as a detective in the small town of Hidden Cove, about 100 miles from New York City. It's a different environment for Megan but a good change of pace. Megan wants to open a camp for children of fallen police and firefighters and Mitch Malvaso is behind her idea and more than willing to lend a hand. Megan is attracted to Mitch but there is no way she would get involved with a married man even if that man's marriage is falling apart. I liked Megan and respected her stance on not getting involved with Mitch. They do develop a friendship that heightens the tension with everyone involved.
Mitch Malvaso loves being a firefighter and he knows the risks. After nearly losing his life in the Sinco fire he and his two siblings who are also firefighters, decide to improve their lives. Mitch wants to work on his dying marriage but he knows the reality is that it's been over for a long time. He's staying for the kids since his wife is a crazy bitch and he doesn't trust her with the kids. The stress Mitch has at home wears on him and when he meets Megan, she gives him something to focus on, the kids camp. Mitch is a decent guy who married the wrong woman but he's determine to stick with her for the kids sake. Yes, Mitch should have left the bitch but there was a good chance she would get custody of the kids and he couldn't let that happen. Her daddy was rich and powerful so Mitch had good reason to worry.
Being a small town setting, the secondary characters play an important role in the overall story line. There is Jenny, Mitch's sister and fellow firefighter. Her best friend is Grady, an EMT who shares a duplex with Jenny. They are friends who have a boatload of past failed romances between them and neither thinks they are ready for a serious relationship. They both are attracted to the other but have buried those feelings so deeply when they do act on the attraction it takes them by surprise. Unfortunately, they are both stubborn about moving from friends to lovers even though it's obvious they were meant to be together and are miserable apart. I found their story line aggravating at times and wished they'd simply get on with it.
The other secondary character with a troublesome past is Zach Malvaso, Mitch's brother and fellow firefighter. Zach was a ladies man in the past. The only problem is, he was married at the time. He's divorced now but still not ready to let go of his ex. She's moved on but Zach is having a really hard time. He wants to make up for his past sins and be a better father to his kids but he also wants a second chance with his ex. Yeah, that's not happening. I did like Zach but had I known him during his screwing around period, nope. His was an interesting storyline that left me wondering what happens to him. (His story is next in the trilogy)
There are other sub-plots that feed into the Malvaso firefighters stories. Their family and other siblings are a large part of their lives and impact how they continue to change and improve their lives. I did like the family feeling the story had not only with the Malvasos but also the firefighters themselves and to a lesser extent the police force.
I have the next book on the TBR pile and find myself curious about Zach's story and his heroine, who we meet in After the Fire. I'm wondering what her back story is and why she is such a loner. They should make for a compelling couple. The other couple featured in the next book I have no feelings one way or the other. So we'll see. After the Fire is a solid start to the Firefighter trilogy with an uncommon romance and an array of secondary characters to add to the drama.
Megan Hale is tired of the big city and ready for a change. She takes a job as a detective in the small town of Hidden Cove, about 100 miles from New York City. It's a different environment for Megan but a good change of pace. Megan wants to open a camp for children of fallen police and firefighters and Mitch Malvaso is behind her idea and more than willing to lend a hand. Megan is attracted to Mitch but there is no way she would get involved with a married man even if that man's marriage is falling apart. I liked Megan and respected her stance on not getting involved with Mitch. They do develop a friendship that heightens the tension with everyone involved.
Mitch Malvaso loves being a firefighter and he knows the risks. After nearly losing his life in the Sinco fire he and his two siblings who are also firefighters, decide to improve their lives. Mitch wants to work on his dying marriage but he knows the reality is that it's been over for a long time. He's staying for the kids since his wife is a crazy bitch and he doesn't trust her with the kids. The stress Mitch has at home wears on him and when he meets Megan, she gives him something to focus on, the kids camp. Mitch is a decent guy who married the wrong woman but he's determine to stick with her for the kids sake. Yes, Mitch should have left the bitch but there was a good chance she would get custody of the kids and he couldn't let that happen. Her daddy was rich and powerful so Mitch had good reason to worry.
Being a small town setting, the secondary characters play an important role in the overall story line. There is Jenny, Mitch's sister and fellow firefighter. Her best friend is Grady, an EMT who shares a duplex with Jenny. They are friends who have a boatload of past failed romances between them and neither thinks they are ready for a serious relationship. They both are attracted to the other but have buried those feelings so deeply when they do act on the attraction it takes them by surprise. Unfortunately, they are both stubborn about moving from friends to lovers even though it's obvious they were meant to be together and are miserable apart. I found their story line aggravating at times and wished they'd simply get on with it.
The other secondary character with a troublesome past is Zach Malvaso, Mitch's brother and fellow firefighter. Zach was a ladies man in the past. The only problem is, he was married at the time. He's divorced now but still not ready to let go of his ex. She's moved on but Zach is having a really hard time. He wants to make up for his past sins and be a better father to his kids but he also wants a second chance with his ex. Yeah, that's not happening. I did like Zach but had I known him during his screwing around period, nope. His was an interesting storyline that left me wondering what happens to him. (His story is next in the trilogy)
There are other sub-plots that feed into the Malvaso firefighters stories. Their family and other siblings are a large part of their lives and impact how they continue to change and improve their lives. I did like the family feeling the story had not only with the Malvasos but also the firefighters themselves and to a lesser extent the police force.
I have the next book on the TBR pile and find myself curious about Zach's story and his heroine, who we meet in After the Fire. I'm wondering what her back story is and why she is such a loner. They should make for a compelling couple. The other couple featured in the next book I have no feelings one way or the other. So we'll see. After the Fire is a solid start to the Firefighter trilogy with an uncommon romance and an array of secondary characters to add to the drama.
August 8, 2012
Firefighters are darn amazing.
I liked this book; it's possible that I'll be getting the second book in the series and perhaps reading more by Kathryn Shay if they continue to be as good as this one.
The main reason for this was the rich and interesting characters. They have issues, but most of them are really good people and trying to make things work. Everything they did seem really justified to them and I never found myself super exasperated with their stupidity like another book I recently read.
The way that was perhaps the part of the story that worked least for me. What do I know, maybe that happens, but it made me vaguely uncomfortable. All the other plot lines kept me very interested as they evolved and had me eager to continue reading to see where they went.
One thing that I noticed and felt like pointing out here was that Shay has a tendency to go a lot more in depth in parts of the story that don't matter than most other novels I read. E.g. when Mitch and Megan talk to Hank about the camp, the narrative actually spends a lot of time in the meeting going over the things necessary to start a camp. And other situations where I feel many other novels would skip ahead to keep the story concise, Shay spends more time sharing these happenings before skipping to the next part that's pertinent to the plot. Maybe she just wanted to show all her research. But in any case, I think I liked that. It made me feel more involved with the story and that the novel is about these people and not just about this romantic plot. Or something. Especially the parts that delved into the firefighting. Because firefighters are awesome.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, as I mentioned. I felt involved with the characters and what they're doing and continued to want to read and find out how they evolve and deal with their situations. And I just really wanted things to work out for them, despite my usual feeling that romance novels are way too obvious regarding who ends up with who and that it'd be better if something else happened, I didn't mind at all that the obvious couples ended together.
I liked this book; it's possible that I'll be getting the second book in the series and perhaps reading more by Kathryn Shay if they continue to be as good as this one.
The main reason for this was the rich and interesting characters. They have issues, but most of them are really good people and trying to make things work. Everything they did seem really justified to them and I never found myself super exasperated with their stupidity like another book I recently read.
The way that was perhaps the part of the story that worked least for me. What do I know, maybe that happens, but it made me vaguely uncomfortable. All the other plot lines kept me very interested as they evolved and had me eager to continue reading to see where they went.
One thing that I noticed and felt like pointing out here was that Shay has a tendency to go a lot more in depth in parts of the story that don't matter than most other novels I read. E.g. when Mitch and Megan talk to Hank about the camp, the narrative actually spends a lot of time in the meeting going over the things necessary to start a camp. And other situations where I feel many other novels would skip ahead to keep the story concise, Shay spends more time sharing these happenings before skipping to the next part that's pertinent to the plot. Maybe she just wanted to show all her research. But in any case, I think I liked that. It made me feel more involved with the story and that the novel is about these people and not just about this romantic plot. Or something. Especially the parts that delved into the firefighting. Because firefighters are awesome.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, as I mentioned. I felt involved with the characters and what they're doing and continued to want to read and find out how they evolve and deal with their situations. And I just really wanted things to work out for them, despite my usual feeling that romance novels are way too obvious regarding who ends up with who and that it'd be better if something else happened, I didn't mind at all that the obvious couples ended together.
April 16, 2015
Thrifty Thursday review at The Book Nympho:
http://thebooknympho.com/2015/04/afte...
I liked After the Fire but some things didn’t work for me. The setting of a fire department was very well done. The author did extensive research and it shows in the details. The back drop of the story is the work with the fires and rescues that happen. The actual scenes at the fire have some details but there is no resolution as to how or why the fires happened. There is also a joint charity project between the fire and police departments.
After the Fire is loosely based around a family of five adult children, the Malvaso family. Their father died as a firefighter when the oldest boy Mitch was sixteen. Three of the five children are now firefighters, two males and one female. They are somehow estranged from their siblings, another male (lawyer) and female (housewife).
It took me a long time to get even somewhat invested in the characters. It may have been the complexity of multiple characters and storylines, so I didn’t get enough of any of them. I need more dialog between characters than just hearing what they think or the details of what they are doing. It also felt like the “good” guys were a little too good to be true and the “bad” guys were a little too bad. The stereotypes were a bit over the top. So I didn’t find any of them very believable or likeable.
As a romance, there were multiple couples. So there are both happy and sad endings, which is completely realistic. After the Fire takes place over a period of several months, not quite a year, so that is enough time for some of the relationships to build, grow or change.
For a freebie, After the Fire is an okay , fairly light read. With so many characters, there is not one relationship in focus. Instead there are many couples; some getting together, some falling apart. So, it is not a fluffy, romantic book but if you enjoy realistic fire-fighting, you might like it.
http://thebooknympho.com/2015/04/afte...
I liked After the Fire but some things didn’t work for me. The setting of a fire department was very well done. The author did extensive research and it shows in the details. The back drop of the story is the work with the fires and rescues that happen. The actual scenes at the fire have some details but there is no resolution as to how or why the fires happened. There is also a joint charity project between the fire and police departments.
After the Fire is loosely based around a family of five adult children, the Malvaso family. Their father died as a firefighter when the oldest boy Mitch was sixteen. Three of the five children are now firefighters, two males and one female. They are somehow estranged from their siblings, another male (lawyer) and female (housewife).
It took me a long time to get even somewhat invested in the characters. It may have been the complexity of multiple characters and storylines, so I didn’t get enough of any of them. I need more dialog between characters than just hearing what they think or the details of what they are doing. It also felt like the “good” guys were a little too good to be true and the “bad” guys were a little too bad. The stereotypes were a bit over the top. So I didn’t find any of them very believable or likeable.
As a romance, there were multiple couples. So there are both happy and sad endings, which is completely realistic. After the Fire takes place over a period of several months, not quite a year, so that is enough time for some of the relationships to build, grow or change.
For a freebie, After the Fire is an okay , fairly light read. With so many characters, there is not one relationship in focus. Instead there are many couples; some getting together, some falling apart. So, it is not a fluffy, romantic book but if you enjoy realistic fire-fighting, you might like it.
December 28, 2011
The good parts of this book were very good:
The detail of the job of firefighters. When the book when there is was great. Not too much, not too teachy, rather just the right amount of excitement and danger so that you know you aren't reading a book where the characters aren't artificial flavoring fire-fighers.
The romance between Jenny and Grady was great. It was a pitch perfect friends-to-lovers story, where given their background, you had to wonder why they never tried before. They have been friends since they were five years old. They live next door to each other in a side-by-side duplex where they cut the wall out between the two houses and built a french door so they have access to each other's houses easily. It is a no-brainer why their other relationships never worked out. Nobody could match the connection they had with each other even when it was only a friendship one. But it was well done how freaked out they got when they started to think of each other that way.
The ensemble of characters were also great. The big Malvaso family, which was close and loving but full of neurosis was fun to read about. I also am gratified that Zach's ex-wife was a good, decent person but not a noble martyr. Good for her sticking to her guns.
But not so fantastic parts are what dragged the book a bit, though.
I never understood why Zach was the way he was. There was nothing to explain his demons.
Infidelity was rampant in this book.
Mitch was a bit of a wuss. I just wanted him to put on his big-boy pants and deal with is wife.
Megan was a Mary Sue. She was just too perfect, imo.
Mitch's wife was a cardboard monster. We know we are supposed to not like her to clear the way for Mitch and Megan, but really she could have used some depth.
There are two other books in the series but I probably won't follow up.
The detail of the job of firefighters. When the book when there is was great. Not too much, not too teachy, rather just the right amount of excitement and danger so that you know you aren't reading a book where the characters aren't artificial flavoring fire-fighers.
The romance between Jenny and Grady was great. It was a pitch perfect friends-to-lovers story, where given their background, you had to wonder why they never tried before. They have been friends since they were five years old. They live next door to each other in a side-by-side duplex where they cut the wall out between the two houses and built a french door so they have access to each other's houses easily. It is a no-brainer why their other relationships never worked out. Nobody could match the connection they had with each other even when it was only a friendship one. But it was well done how freaked out they got when they started to think of each other that way.
The ensemble of characters were also great. The big Malvaso family, which was close and loving but full of neurosis was fun to read about. I also am gratified that Zach's ex-wife was a good, decent person but not a noble martyr. Good for her sticking to her guns.
But not so fantastic parts are what dragged the book a bit, though.
I never understood why Zach was the way he was. There was nothing to explain his demons.
Infidelity was rampant in this book.
Mitch was a bit of a wuss. I just wanted him to put on his big-boy pants and deal with is wife.
Megan was a Mary Sue. She was just too perfect, imo.
Mitch's wife was a cardboard monster. We know we are supposed to not like her to clear the way for Mitch and Megan, but really she could have used some depth.
There are two other books in the series but I probably won't follow up.
December 23, 2014
This was a 'nice' book. Three fire-fighting siblings get caught in a fire and nearly die. They decide that they will use their near-death experience to change their lives. The book then moves forward six months to see what (if anything) they have done.
One brother, the eldest, is in an unhappy marriage with two teenagers who are going off the rails. The sister is twice-divorced and wants a baby. The third sibling is divorced and spent most of his marriage cheating on his wife and generally trying to be an eighteen year old boy.
Whilst each sibling's story is (frankly) obvious fairly early on, the way in which the stories are told is interesting. There is the inevitable fire in which history appears to repeat itself - it also serves to highlight how much or little each sibling has changed.
To me this is the written equivalent of that TV series Seventh Heaven. It can tackle difficult issues but in the end everyone has grown as a person and become wiser - or accepted their faults.
That sounds patronising and negative and I don't mean it to be. I enjoyed the book and the way in which the siblings had different issues - even with their other siblings.
Reviews of the second book haven't been positive - people were unhappy about the heroine's past behaviour - I'm on the fence.
One brother, the eldest, is in an unhappy marriage with two teenagers who are going off the rails. The sister is twice-divorced and wants a baby. The third sibling is divorced and spent most of his marriage cheating on his wife and generally trying to be an eighteen year old boy.
Whilst each sibling's story is (frankly) obvious fairly early on, the way in which the stories are told is interesting. There is the inevitable fire in which history appears to repeat itself - it also serves to highlight how much or little each sibling has changed.
To me this is the written equivalent of that TV series Seventh Heaven. It can tackle difficult issues but in the end everyone has grown as a person and become wiser - or accepted their faults.
That sounds patronising and negative and I don't mean it to be. I enjoyed the book and the way in which the siblings had different issues - even with their other siblings.
Reviews of the second book haven't been positive - people were unhappy about the heroine's past behaviour - I'm on the fence.
February 29, 2016
After struggling with having little to no storyline in my last few unfortunate reads, After The Fire almost has too much going on! There were three main romantic type relationships to focus on, as well as the family and co workers. It's a lot to get your head around but it does prove entertaining. I would have liked a little more on Jenny & Grady and maybe a little less Mitch & Meg.
There was so much tragedy for all the characters- was there any one that had not lost a father/spouse or be divorced multiple times?
I don't normally enjoy stories where the romantic leads are older than mid thirties and generally really dislike kids being involved but in this case it all came together and I really enjoyed it. I actually read the whole book in two sittings. I'm not really sure why. It's not like it was action packed and full of cliffhangers - I just really wanted to know what happened and how things turned out. I guess that in itself is the true mark of a good book.
There was so much tragedy for all the characters- was there any one that had not lost a father/spouse or be divorced multiple times?
I don't normally enjoy stories where the romantic leads are older than mid thirties and generally really dislike kids being involved but in this case it all came together and I really enjoyed it. I actually read the whole book in two sittings. I'm not really sure why. It's not like it was action packed and full of cliffhangers - I just really wanted to know what happened and how things turned out. I guess that in itself is the true mark of a good book.
March 30, 2015
This was a free ebook,that I got through www.bookbub.com. I wasn't sure what to expect. What i got was a smart very real story about people who are flawed and whose lives are falling apart. This is the story of how they get their lives back on track or back to where they can like themselves again. The journey was so worth the effort, it left me smiling. My only complaint is that I would have liked more tie up, I shall hope that the next book in the series will give me more.
December 14, 2014
EXCITING, ROMANTIC READ FILLED WITH LOTS OF DRAMA ABOUT FIREFIGHTERS. VERY WELL WRITTEN, I LEARNED SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US EVERY DAY. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY DO DAILY OR HOW THEIR LOVED ONES CAN BE THAT STRONG. REALLY GREAT STORY. ;D
December 20, 2022
There was a lot going on in this book. A family of firefighters and police. Very emotional with lots of love and fighting, but no monogamy. I enjoy Shay's writing and recommend these books to all who like a big family entanglement.
Want to read
May 5, 2016Please see Boundless Book Reviews for the review, that will post at a later date.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
Want to read
January 4, 2015Free on Amazon as of 11/21/14!
December 30, 2015
i used to love kathryn shay's stuff - but this book just seemed really disjointed - too much going on, 3 different storylines, not enough romance
September 5, 2017
DNF. This is really three stories in one, each focussing on 3 couples with their own relationship issues. Toss in normal family dramas (one of each couple are siblings) then it makes for a busy book.
At 15% in I could already see where all 3 relationships were going. Mitch is in a failing marriage with two teen kids that he has been ignoring for too long; he meets the new town police detective and his interest there forces him to make some choices - towards the new life he could have (not sticking with what is beoken and non-fixable). Jennyis two marriages down but wants to have a baby; the donar will be her best friend who agrees but only if the baby is made 'the old-fashioned way' and he remains in the picture post birth. Zach was a constant womanizer who regularly cheated on his wife and ignored his small kids; nearly 3 years later after a near death experience he wants a second chance.
Why the DNF? Firstly, Zachs' story didn't interest me. His wasn't a case of a marriage going bad and a mistake being made, he screwed around on his wife constantly from their marriage at 18 (now 30). That is something I couldn't forgive and so I had no interest in reading how he earnt forgiveness from his ex. Secondly, the other two story lines were so obvious I didn't feel the need to finish the book to see how they got their HEA.
At 15% in I could already see where all 3 relationships were going. Mitch is in a failing marriage with two teen kids that he has been ignoring for too long; he meets the new town police detective and his interest there forces him to make some choices - towards the new life he could have (not sticking with what is beoken and non-fixable). Jennyis two marriages down but wants to have a baby; the donar will be her best friend who agrees but only if the baby is made 'the old-fashioned way' and he remains in the picture post birth. Zach was a constant womanizer who regularly cheated on his wife and ignored his small kids; nearly 3 years later after a near death experience he wants a second chance.
Why the DNF? Firstly, Zachs' story didn't interest me. His wasn't a case of a marriage going bad and a mistake being made, he screwed around on his wife constantly from their marriage at 18 (now 30). That is something I couldn't forgive and so I had no interest in reading how he earnt forgiveness from his ex. Secondly, the other two story lines were so obvious I didn't feel the need to finish the book to see how they got their HEA.
September 17, 2019
Well researched, but too trauma heavy
The research done on this book was evident before even reading the author's note about it. It's part love note to firefighters and what they do, part family drama. Unfortunately, the second part feels way too extreme; there's not a functional relationship in the bunch.
After a major fire, three sibling firefighters decide to make significant changes in their lives. The guys both have children and strained relationships, and their single sister wants to have a baby. The rest of the book shows how that plays out, interspersed with firefighting scenes such as this:
"Pitch black in here and furnace hot, the place reminded him of Sinco. For a minute, his heart constricted. Every time they went into a fire now, all HCFD firefighters experienced momentary unease. Mitch did, too, even though his sister and brother Zach had survived. Mitch shook off his fear and stopped to listen; a firefighter’s sense of hearing could save his life, or the lives of others. He heard faint moaning. "
As negative reviews have pointed out, there is swearing and sex. I didn't object to either aspect. The extreme drama with everyone felt like a soap opera at times; too much to seem realistic.
The research done on this book was evident before even reading the author's note about it. It's part love note to firefighters and what they do, part family drama. Unfortunately, the second part feels way too extreme; there's not a functional relationship in the bunch.
After a major fire, three sibling firefighters decide to make significant changes in their lives. The guys both have children and strained relationships, and their single sister wants to have a baby. The rest of the book shows how that plays out, interspersed with firefighting scenes such as this:
"Pitch black in here and furnace hot, the place reminded him of Sinco. For a minute, his heart constricted. Every time they went into a fire now, all HCFD firefighters experienced momentary unease. Mitch did, too, even though his sister and brother Zach had survived. Mitch shook off his fear and stopped to listen; a firefighter’s sense of hearing could save his life, or the lives of others. He heard faint moaning. "
As negative reviews have pointed out, there is swearing and sex. I didn't object to either aspect. The extreme drama with everyone felt like a soap opera at times; too much to seem realistic.
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