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Jackson: Girls' Night Out #0.5
Fanning the Flames
A fan favorite from USA TODAY bestselling author Victoria Dahl.
Some men are off-limits. Close friends of your ex-husband, for instance. Or firefighters who work in the same building as you. Yet despite her best judgment, librarian Lauren Foster can't help noticing fire captain Jake Davis whenever he jogs by…shirtless. They've always been friends, but all it takes is one not-so-chance meeting at a local bar and one not-quite-innocent walk home to ignite a fierce, uncontrollable desire between them.
Widower Jake Davis has tried to ignore the spark he feels whenever Lauren's around, but once he sees her curves in a little black dress, there's no turning back. No matter how often she says she's all wrong for him, the sexy, outspoken divorcée is driving him wild in the best possible way. Maybe she's just blowing off steam. Or maybe he can convince her to fan these flames into something deeper, hotter and truer than they ever expected….
Originally published in 2014.
Some men are off-limits. Close friends of your ex-husband, for instance. Or firefighters who work in the same building as you. Yet despite her best judgment, librarian Lauren Foster can't help noticing fire captain Jake Davis whenever he jogs by…shirtless. They've always been friends, but all it takes is one not-so-chance meeting at a local bar and one not-quite-innocent walk home to ignite a fierce, uncontrollable desire between them.
Widower Jake Davis has tried to ignore the spark he feels whenever Lauren's around, but once he sees her curves in a little black dress, there's no turning back. No matter how often she says she's all wrong for him, the sexy, outspoken divorcée is driving him wild in the best possible way. Maybe she's just blowing off steam. Or maybe he can convince her to fan these flames into something deeper, hotter and truer than they ever expected….
Originally published in 2014.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2014
67 people are currently reading
1217 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Dahl
71 books2,005 followersI have my mother to thank for my passion for writing. My mom is an avid reader of popular fiction, and I began reading highly inappropriate books around the age of eleven, I think. (Thanks, Mom, for always leaving those delicious books strewn about!)
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
September 30, 2016
You want something hot? Hell yeah, you got it!
This was hot, sexy, and sweet all at the same time. It was an enjoyable read, another wonderful short story by Victoria Dahl that I finished in one sitting. The characters and the plot, per se, had so much potential to be a full length novel. Anyway, this was a nice prequel to the Jackson: Girls' Night Out series.
Fans of contemporary romance shouldn’t miss this series.
September 24, 2015
"You don't understand. I don't bake cookies. I don't want to take care of a man. I'm bitchy. I'm demanding. I want my own space and free time, and when I'm in a bad mood, I'll tell you and I'll use bad language while I do it. Speaking of, I like to fuck." She poked his chest again. "I. Am. Not. Sweet."
Well, I don't really know what to say about this. It's about a 43-year-old divorcée, Lauren. She may seem like an uptight librarian, but really she's fierce and bitchy and is going through this phase where she wants to fuck every man in sight. You know, as one does.
She's had her eye on the 46-year-old widower Jake for a while now, as he runs by her every day shirtless, but she's convinced he only likes "nice women" and she doesn't fit that bill. Luckily, they meet up at a little bar and one thing leads to another, showing these two that they are actually perfect for each other.
...
One thing I want to mention is that the cover of this book is completely inappropriate for the content. Jake has a hairy chest and he's 46. The fact that he has a hairy chest and that Lauren thinks hairy chests are the sexiest thing ever is mentioned approximately sixty times in this novella. Why couldn't they get an actual in-his-forties man with an actual hairy chest to be on the cover of this novel? I can't be the only female who is tired of seeing a completely waxed six-pack-ab man on the cover of romance novels. How about changing it up a little bit? Is chest hair really that repulsive to people? I don't find it repulsive.
This story is just okay. I mean there's nothing BAD about it, but neither is it particularly inspiring or heart-pounding. Lauren is funny sometimes, and I enjoyed reading a romance where the two protagonists are in their forties. But it wasn't a particularly romantic or sweet book, and I like romantic and sweet.
How's the sex, Carmen?
It's good. I mean, I didn't find this book particularly romantic or sweet or having a story that makes my heart pound, so the sex (while fine) wasn't emotionally interesting to me. Lauren is kind of like "Let's fuck!" and Jake is like, "I would love to be your fuck buddy." The End. That's fine, but it's not really what I'm looking for in a romance novel.
Tl;dr - It's nice to read about protagonists who are in their 40s and it's nice to read about a man with a hairy chest for once. :p I'm kind of half-joking since it's funny to me the way Lauren goes on and on about chest hair in this novella.
But as for sweetness and romance, this isn't really it. I mean, I'm glad they found each other and are happy now and stuff, but it's not really very romantic.
TWO REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
P.S. Oh, and I really wanted Jake and Lauren to go to a BBQ or something where her dickhead ex-husband would be there and for him to be shocked and embarrassed that Lauren is with sexy Jake and really rub his face in it. Ugh, I hated her ex-husband, what a jerk! I would have given this an extra star just to see him get put down.
Well, I don't really know what to say about this. It's about a 43-year-old divorcée, Lauren. She may seem like an uptight librarian, but really she's fierce and bitchy and is going through this phase where she wants to fuck every man in sight. You know, as one does.
She's had her eye on the 46-year-old widower Jake for a while now, as he runs by her every day shirtless, but she's convinced he only likes "nice women" and she doesn't fit that bill. Luckily, they meet up at a little bar and one thing leads to another, showing these two that they are actually perfect for each other.
...
One thing I want to mention is that the cover of this book is completely inappropriate for the content. Jake has a hairy chest and he's 46. The fact that he has a hairy chest and that Lauren thinks hairy chests are the sexiest thing ever is mentioned approximately sixty times in this novella. Why couldn't they get an actual in-his-forties man with an actual hairy chest to be on the cover of this novel? I can't be the only female who is tired of seeing a completely waxed six-pack-ab man on the cover of romance novels. How about changing it up a little bit? Is chest hair really that repulsive to people? I don't find it repulsive.
This story is just okay. I mean there's nothing BAD about it, but neither is it particularly inspiring or heart-pounding. Lauren is funny sometimes, and I enjoyed reading a romance where the two protagonists are in their forties. But it wasn't a particularly romantic or sweet book, and I like romantic and sweet.
How's the sex, Carmen?
It's good. I mean, I didn't find this book particularly romantic or sweet or having a story that makes my heart pound, so the sex (while fine) wasn't emotionally interesting to me. Lauren is kind of like "Let's fuck!" and Jake is like, "I would love to be your fuck buddy." The End. That's fine, but it's not really what I'm looking for in a romance novel.
Tl;dr - It's nice to read about protagonists who are in their 40s and it's nice to read about a man with a hairy chest for once. :p I'm kind of half-joking since it's funny to me the way Lauren goes on and on about chest hair in this novella.
But as for sweetness and romance, this isn't really it. I mean, I'm glad they found each other and are happy now and stuff, but it's not really very romantic.
TWO REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
P.S. Oh, and I really wanted Jake and Lauren to go to a BBQ or something where her dickhead ex-husband would be there and for him to be shocked and embarrassed that Lauren is with sexy Jake and really rub his face in it. Ugh, I hated her ex-husband, what a jerk! I would have given this an extra star just to see him get put down.
June 30, 2014
3.5 Sexy and Short Stars
I'm a huge fan of Victoria Dahl, so when I saw she has a new series coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. Plus I read "firefighters" and I was pretty much done for? What? So I'm shallow. Don't you judge me here.
Forty three year old divorcee Lauren Foster is ready to move on with her life. After a marriage that fizzled out, she's convinced that she's not exactly cut out to be a wife...but some sweaty and dirty sex certainly wouldn't be amiss. Too bad the only thing her libido is responding to is a man that is very hands off to her, widower and fire chief Jake Davis. But how is a girl supposed to ignore the inferno of lust every time Jake jogs shirtless to work. Maybe working next to the fire station isn't as great as it sounds for a librarian.
I'm a sucker for older MCs, since it's very rare I'll find that in book. I really loved that Lauren was 43 to Jake's 46. It's refreshing to read about mature MCs with kids. It's also refreshing when those kids are normal and there's no added drama from that. This was a very quick, light, and super sexy read about 2 people getting a second chance for love.
I was afraid that with Lauren being a librarian, I'd find her to be stuffy and boring. Boy was I wrong!
Oh I certainly got it, Lauren.
While I really enjoyed this, it was still a bit too short for me to be anything more than 3.5 stars. I was suprised, however, at how invested I managed to get in both these characters in just a short 60+ pages. I just really wished for an epilogue of sorts to really make it a solid 4 stars. But considering this is planned to be a series, I'm sure we'll be hearing about Jake and Lauren in the future books.
If you're looking for a quick, sexy and light read, then you definitely want to give this book a try.
ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
For more reviews visit
Her body wanted her to get busy humping any man who caugh her eye before her eggs dried up. What her body didn't seem to understand was that there were plenty of healthy-egged young twenty-somethings who were attracted to men like Jake Davis, too. She couldn't compete with them. But honestly, she wouldn't mind a few hopeless tries.
I'm a huge fan of Victoria Dahl, so when I saw she has a new series coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it. Plus I read "firefighters" and I was pretty much done for? What? So I'm shallow. Don't you judge me here.
Forty three year old divorcee Lauren Foster is ready to move on with her life. After a marriage that fizzled out, she's convinced that she's not exactly cut out to be a wife...but some sweaty and dirty sex certainly wouldn't be amiss. Too bad the only thing her libido is responding to is a man that is very hands off to her, widower and fire chief Jake Davis. But how is a girl supposed to ignore the inferno of lust every time Jake jogs shirtless to work. Maybe working next to the fire station isn't as great as it sounds for a librarian.
I'm a sucker for older MCs, since it's very rare I'll find that in book. I really loved that Lauren was 43 to Jake's 46. It's refreshing to read about mature MCs with kids. It's also refreshing when those kids are normal and there's no added drama from that. This was a very quick, light, and super sexy read about 2 people getting a second chance for love.
I was afraid that with Lauren being a librarian, I'd find her to be stuffy and boring. Boy was I wrong!
She poked his chest again.
"I. Am. Not. Sweet."
Oh I certainly got it, Lauren.
While I really enjoyed this, it was still a bit too short for me to be anything more than 3.5 stars. I was suprised, however, at how invested I managed to get in both these characters in just a short 60+ pages. I just really wished for an epilogue of sorts to really make it a solid 4 stars. But considering this is planned to be a series, I'm sure we'll be hearing about Jake and Lauren in the future books.
If you're looking for a quick, sexy and light read, then you definitely want to give this book a try.
ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
For more reviews visit
January 3, 2015
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
There's a lot to like about this short story!
Lauren Foster is a divorced librarian with a son who is a college freshman. Jake Davis is a widower and a fire captain. His daily shirtless runs past the library have caused Lauren to realize she's now at her sexual peak. Both keep pretending they aren't noticing each other but with a little help from friends, they finally connect.
I really enjoyed everything about the story. Both Lauren and Jake are extremely likable and appealing and it helped having both their points of view. It was also great that they're a mature couple who don't waste time with immature issues. It's funny and sexy (almost erotic), a great intro to the series.
Loved it and the only downside is its brevity, though the story was definitely complete. I'm just greedy!
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
There's a lot to like about this short story!
Lauren Foster is a divorced librarian with a son who is a college freshman. Jake Davis is a widower and a fire captain. His daily shirtless runs past the library have caused Lauren to realize she's now at her sexual peak. Both keep pretending they aren't noticing each other but with a little help from friends, they finally connect.
I really enjoyed everything about the story. Both Lauren and Jake are extremely likable and appealing and it helped having both their points of view. It was also great that they're a mature couple who don't waste time with immature issues. It's funny and sexy (almost erotic), a great intro to the series.
Loved it and the only downside is its brevity, though the story was definitely complete. I'm just greedy!
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
July 25, 2014
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was short, but holy smoke it was GOOD!!!
And seriously what's not love? A rather prim and proper librarian from afar, but a spitfire in the bedroom!
Of course she needed a firefighter!
I look forward to read every each of these men' story!
Who is next?
It was short, but holy smoke it was GOOD!!!
And seriously what's not love? A rather prim and proper librarian from afar, but a spitfire in the bedroom!
Of course she needed a firefighter!
I look forward to read every each of these men' story!
Who is next?
September 2, 2016
4.5 stars
Loved Lauren & Jack's story!
This is a short, sweet novella that introduces the main characters in this series.
What I liked most about this story is that the H/h are in their mid to late 40's.
Their children have all grown and left the nest. They've lived life, and now they're trying to figure out how to move onto the next chapter even though it's scary & exciting.
January 21, 2015
Wow!
This was really hot. And I wasn't expecting it to be as hot as it was. But really, a widowed, still hunky mid-forties firefighter Captain who likes to jog shirtless (showing off his buff, hairy chest) and a (recently feeling) extremely hot-to-trot early forties sexy divorced town librarian...why can't they be hot together? So what if they don't know if they want to try marriage again? The way Ms. Dahl writes (she has a knack for steamy scenes--I had forgotten that) she made this book come alive. I loved these two together. So yeah, I really enjoyed getting to know these characters, and their very steamy coupling. My only regret? This book should've been longer--I wanted a full novel about these two! But what a great start to a series I've had on the back burner...time to get caught up now! 5 stars.
This was really hot. And I wasn't expecting it to be as hot as it was. But really, a widowed, still hunky mid-forties firefighter Captain who likes to jog shirtless (showing off his buff, hairy chest) and a (recently feeling) extremely hot-to-trot early forties sexy divorced town librarian...why can't they be hot together? So what if they don't know if they want to try marriage again? The way Ms. Dahl writes (she has a knack for steamy scenes--I had forgotten that) she made this book come alive. I loved these two together. So yeah, I really enjoyed getting to know these characters, and their very steamy coupling. My only regret? This book should've been longer--I wanted a full novel about these two! But what a great start to a series I've had on the back burner...time to get caught up now! 5 stars.
July 25, 2014
4 stars – Contemporary Romance Novella
I really enjoyed this and loved that the H/h were real, engaging characters in their mid-40’s. I just wish it had been longer with an epilogue to round things out, but still a very satisfying, entertaining, sexy read. Oh, and it’s free right now, so even better!
I really enjoyed this and loved that the H/h were real, engaging characters in their mid-40’s. I just wish it had been longer with an epilogue to round things out, but still a very satisfying, entertaining, sexy read. Oh, and it’s free right now, so even better!
October 25, 2018
2.5 stars
I enjoyed it, liked that it was about people in their forties and how awkward they were. The scene at the middle when they were about to have sex was hilarious. her crying after sex was stupid and unnecessary. It was nice if you are in the mood for a short read.
I enjoyed it, liked that it was about people in their forties and how awkward they were. The scene at the middle when they were about to have sex was hilarious. her crying after sex was stupid and unnecessary. It was nice if you are in the mood for a short read.
September 30, 2022
Librarian Lauren has the serious hots for fire captain Jake but is not ready to make a move. He's friends with her ex-husband and they basically work in the same office seeing as the library and the fire company share the same building. Jake also has a secret crush on the town's head librarian, but he too is afraid to make a move as he hasn't had a serious relationship since his wife died a few years ago. A few drinks and a girls' night out break down both their barriers, but they get caught by Jake's daughter! Embarrassing! Will their mutual spark turn into more?
Fun little novella and nice to see more mature romance!
I re-read this in honor of the FatedMates podcast about the third book in this series which I had re-read recently. Just as delightful and sexy as my first time, I really love seeing these two fall in lust and love. It was super great too because Jake loved his wife and she was a very different person than Lauren, which gives Lauren some worries, but Jake's handling of her concerns were so sweet and sexy. I also loved seeing these two makeout on the couch like teens and getting caught. Made me laugh.
Fun little novella and nice to see more mature romance!
I re-read this in honor of the FatedMates podcast about the third book in this series which I had re-read recently. Just as delightful and sexy as my first time, I really love seeing these two fall in lust and love. It was super great too because Jake loved his wife and she was a very different person than Lauren, which gives Lauren some worries, but Jake's handling of her concerns were so sweet and sexy. I also loved seeing these two makeout on the couch like teens and getting caught. Made me laugh.
May 20, 2015
Short, sweet and hot! And the two leads are in their forties which was strangely satisfying. He's a widowed firefighter whose wife died four years ago, and she's a librarian who has been divorced for eight years. The setting is a small town where everyone knows your name and anything else that goes on.
Very quick read (50 pages) and there's a feeling of happy for now but you don't get the whole happily-ever-after confirmation. And it's the beginning of a new series for Victoria Dahl, so we may see more of Jake and Lauren.
Very quick read (50 pages) and there's a feeling of happy for now but you don't get the whole happily-ever-after confirmation. And it's the beginning of a new series for Victoria Dahl, so we may see more of Jake and Lauren.
July 10, 2014
I usually like my Dahl the way I like my men, full length, but this little number hit the sweet spot. I loved the horny, bitchy, mouthy independent 40s heroine. So much relate. I loved the older hero. Great dialogue and so many funny moments. I was giggling on every page. 5 stars.
This is free--snap it up.
This is free--snap it up.
July 16, 2014
3.5 stars
A short novella introducing Lauren & Jack, a couple in their forties who find themselves willing to take a chance on love again. This sexy introduction is a very good start to Dahl's new series and I'm looking forward to more.
A short novella introducing Lauren & Jack, a couple in their forties who find themselves willing to take a chance on love again. This sexy introduction is a very good start to Dahl's new series and I'm looking forward to more.
November 16, 2023
Lauren is a librarian who has been divorced for 8yrs and has never regretted it but lately has been feeling lonely, in the bedroom. Jake is the town fire captain and a widower whose fire station just so happens to be next door to Lauren's library. They have known each other for years and are now starting to really take notice.
This is a novella, so it's obviously going to be short and sweet. What I didn't expect, was for it to be so complete. This starts off with Lauren observing Jake running shirtless and how hot and bothered it makes her in a fun and light witty banter way. The chik-lit feel continues as Lauren tries to fight her attraction to Jake, bemoans the lack of action happening in her bedroom, and agrees to let her friend take her out for a night out on the town to pick up some hot young eager men. What happens instead is Lauren escaping Jake's house after being caught in flagrante delicto. Jake and Lauren have off the charts bedroom chemistry but Lauren's insecurities rear their ugly head and this is where the story started to become deeper to me.
Lauren criticizes herself for not being what she thought an ideal wife and woman should be. This is partly due to Lauren’s own insecurities and partly due to, what are hinted at, years of little digs by her ex-husband. Many women readers who are Lauren's age or have gone through a similar situation are going to feel a pang in their hearts for her. When she thinks the line "she'd hope that a happy mom was more important for Sawyer than a married one." I know many a woman who is going to have a tear in their eye.
Jake is sexy, mature, and oh so good for Lauren but as this is mostly from Lauren's perspective and due to the strength of her character, you're going to focus more on her. The sex scenes are hot and the pace is steady and strong but as with all novellas, the ending seems abrupt and you'll wish it was longer. Very few novellas manage to pull off such a non-rushed feel and complete story. This is honestly one of the best short stories I have ever read and I will absolutely be picking up the next in the series.
This is a novella, so it's obviously going to be short and sweet. What I didn't expect, was for it to be so complete. This starts off with Lauren observing Jake running shirtless and how hot and bothered it makes her in a fun and light witty banter way. The chik-lit feel continues as Lauren tries to fight her attraction to Jake, bemoans the lack of action happening in her bedroom, and agrees to let her friend take her out for a night out on the town to pick up some hot young eager men. What happens instead is Lauren escaping Jake's house after being caught in flagrante delicto. Jake and Lauren have off the charts bedroom chemistry but Lauren's insecurities rear their ugly head and this is where the story started to become deeper to me.
Lauren criticizes herself for not being what she thought an ideal wife and woman should be. This is partly due to Lauren’s own insecurities and partly due to, what are hinted at, years of little digs by her ex-husband. Many women readers who are Lauren's age or have gone through a similar situation are going to feel a pang in their hearts for her. When she thinks the line "she'd hope that a happy mom was more important for Sawyer than a married one." I know many a woman who is going to have a tear in their eye.
Jake is sexy, mature, and oh so good for Lauren but as this is mostly from Lauren's perspective and due to the strength of her character, you're going to focus more on her. The sex scenes are hot and the pace is steady and strong but as with all novellas, the ending seems abrupt and you'll wish it was longer. Very few novellas manage to pull off such a non-rushed feel and complete story. This is honestly one of the best short stories I have ever read and I will absolutely be picking up the next in the series.
June 13, 2017
For such a short read, this one packs quite the punch. A nearly middle aged divorcee librarian and a middle aged firefighter captain. Both experienced enough to know what they want, both finally ready to "see" each other in a way they never had before. I really enjoyed this.
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July 21, 2014
07/20/2014 --
Overall Rating = 3.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character Development = 3 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$Freebie on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
61 pages
This is kind of a prequal for a new series for this author.
I have never read Victoria Dahl. What? Yeah .. I know. I'm slow to this game. So, shoot me!
I have a few of her books on my TBR pile, but just haven't read them yet. This one. I picked it up yesterday as a freebie. It sounded fun and simple. I've been waiting for F O R E V E R for my favorite Chick-Lit author, Rachel Gibson, to release a new one [next month and I've had it pre-ordered for close to a YEAR -- **happy dancin**] and have been in a bit of a slump. This was good. It was short. Too short really, but I was desperate. It really was perfect for the moment. Enough said.
I immediately requested [and was approved .. on a SUNDAY!!] the ARC for the first full length book in this series. I'm excited!
It doesn't take long to read it and I do think you'd [anyone really] would like it.
++Did you notice the review didn't really say much about the book? Well, it's barely 50 pages and free. Just give it a try.++
Happy Reading!
Overall Rating = 3.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character Development = 3 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$Freebie on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
61 pages
This is kind of a prequal for a new series for this author.
I have never read Victoria Dahl. What? Yeah .. I know. I'm slow to this game. So, shoot me!
I have a few of her books on my TBR pile, but just haven't read them yet. This one. I picked it up yesterday as a freebie. It sounded fun and simple. I've been waiting for F O R E V E R for my favorite Chick-Lit author, Rachel Gibson, to release a new one [next month and I've had it pre-ordered for close to a YEAR -- **happy dancin**] and have been in a bit of a slump. This was good. It was short. Too short really, but I was desperate. It really was perfect for the moment. Enough said.
I immediately requested [and was approved .. on a SUNDAY!!] the ARC for the first full length book in this series. I'm excited!
It doesn't take long to read it and I do think you'd [anyone really] would like it.
++Did you notice the review didn't really say much about the book? Well, it's barely 50 pages and free. Just give it a try.++
Happy Reading!
July 2, 2014
My Review:
This is just a novella, but it totally and completely worked for me. Part of the reason was...well, actually most of the reason...was simply the characters: Jake and Lauren. But especially Lauren. I loved that they were both in their 40's. Jake is 46; Lauren is 43. But they are so completely real. Seriously, if I was a divorcee, Lauren could be me. I completely and totally related to her and the issues that she is going through and feeling. I LOVED her!
The set-up once again takes place in Jackson, Wyoming, but Victoria Dahl has changed her main venue in this new series...to the library. LOVE! But this isn't any old dusty library...no, this one is housed right next door to the fire department. Um, yeah, I can totally get behind this idea! Jake is the fire chief and Lauren has noticed him...big time, especially since he tends to do his daily runs without a shirt on. The problem...they've known each other forever. They were friends as couples when his wife was still alive and her husband was still on the scene so moving things to a new level between them is a bit awkward...and this is the time for alcohol. ;)
I really did love all the aspects of this story. It felt real and I loved the chemistry between Jake and Lauren. They are human and there are a few scenes in this book that were laugh out loud funny. When Lauren has her soliloquy at the end of the book, I was simply nodding my head 'yes'...every single thing she said there...yes, that women is me in another life. I loved at how easy it was to relate to her. Victoria Dahl created a character who absolutely epitomizes women in their 40's and I love her for it!
It is a short book, but it's the intro into the new series and the next book features one of the other librarians so I'm thrilled that we should continue to see more of Lauren and Jake. Loved, LoVeD, LOVED this one!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is just a novella, but it totally and completely worked for me. Part of the reason was...well, actually most of the reason...was simply the characters: Jake and Lauren. But especially Lauren. I loved that they were both in their 40's. Jake is 46; Lauren is 43. But they are so completely real. Seriously, if I was a divorcee, Lauren could be me. I completely and totally related to her and the issues that she is going through and feeling. I LOVED her!
The set-up once again takes place in Jackson, Wyoming, but Victoria Dahl has changed her main venue in this new series...to the library. LOVE! But this isn't any old dusty library...no, this one is housed right next door to the fire department. Um, yeah, I can totally get behind this idea! Jake is the fire chief and Lauren has noticed him...big time, especially since he tends to do his daily runs without a shirt on. The problem...they've known each other forever. They were friends as couples when his wife was still alive and her husband was still on the scene so moving things to a new level between them is a bit awkward...and this is the time for alcohol. ;)
I really did love all the aspects of this story. It felt real and I loved the chemistry between Jake and Lauren. They are human and there are a few scenes in this book that were laugh out loud funny. When Lauren has her soliloquy at the end of the book, I was simply nodding my head 'yes'...every single thing she said there...yes, that women is me in another life. I loved at how easy it was to relate to her. Victoria Dahl created a character who absolutely epitomizes women in their 40's and I love her for it!
It is a short book, but it's the intro into the new series and the next book features one of the other librarians so I'm thrilled that we should continue to see more of Lauren and Jake. Loved, LoVeD, LOVED this one!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 21, 2015
I really enjoyed this novella featuring a divorced librarian and a widowed firefighter. It was sexy and sweet plus it was great to read a romance where the hero and heroine aren't fresh out of college. I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a spicy and entertaining novella.
July 13, 2014
I'm not a fan of novellas, which is why I gave this 3 stars. But make no mistake, this was a good story. Loved the H and h and LOVED that they were in their 40's. I felt like I could relate to them. Like I could be them.
April 13, 2015
This was SO good, but the ending was abrupt and weird. I was hoping for a teeny bit more at the end. Otherwise, this was a sexy and cute read.
July 24, 2014
This was such a fun, dirty read. I really need this right now.
I loved Lauren and Jake. Thank you VD for writing a romance with a hot as hell 40 year old Hero! :)
Keeper Shelf
I loved Lauren and Jake. Thank you VD for writing a romance with a hot as hell 40 year old Hero! :)
Keeper Shelf
June 16, 2021
So, I picked up this book because I am interested in reading Taking the Heat which came up on a thread in Twitter based on the whole #HeroesWhoEat hashtag that started after DC said that Batman would never go down on Catwoman. "Heroes don't do that." Ha, well, that started that whole trend. Anyway, I usually like reading books in order so I started with this prequel. It was a pretty good story about a divorcee who was never happy being married and isn't the "perfect woman". She has the hots for her ex's best friend but doesn't wat to make any moves because his deceased wife was "the perfect wife" and that just isn't her.
It was a cute read and had a very funny moment when the heroes daughter and fiance walk in on them after a little fun time on the couch. However, I wasn't super in love with it. I really don't read romances for the HFN feeling and that is what I got with this one. I want a conclusion. I want to know they are going to live HEA. That is why I read romance.
I started the second one but not sure if I'm going to read that one or just jump straight to Taking the Heat. Tho, I saw somewhere that one also feels like HFN and again, not really what I look for in a book.
Dahl can write and writes steamy scenes but that isn't all I am looking for in a romance. I want the romance, the sweetness, the ILY's. I just didn't get that with this book.
It was a cute read and had a very funny moment when the heroes daughter and fiance walk in on them after a little fun time on the couch. However, I wasn't super in love with it. I really don't read romances for the HFN feeling and that is what I got with this one. I want a conclusion. I want to know they are going to live HEA. That is why I read romance.
I started the second one but not sure if I'm going to read that one or just jump straight to Taking the Heat. Tho, I saw somewhere that one also feels like HFN and again, not really what I look for in a book.
Dahl can write and writes steamy scenes but that isn't all I am looking for in a romance. I want the romance, the sweetness, the ILY's. I just didn't get that with this book.
July 9, 2014
It takes a special author to pull me away from my boys who love boys reading fest and get lost in a book where there are *gasp* girl parts, but Victoria Dahl is one of those that never disappoints.
This, this short was so much fun. It was intelligent, it was hilarious and it was fucking sexy. OMG! Was it sexy. *fans self*
I have to get one thing out of the way because it was one of my favorite things about this story; the age MC’s ! Gah! Jake is forty-six and sexy with his salt and pepper chest hair and Lauren is a sultry women of forty-three who owns her sexuality, knows what she wants and holds no reservations for it! What a refreshing story to have this couple in their forties, it really made the story and I loved the hell out of it.
I adored Lauren and Jake’s story. From page one, we get Lauren, the town’s librarian ogling a bare chested Jake, the local Captain of the Firehouse on his run.
Oh Lauren, I SO agree with you on that. Not only about licking Jake clean but about the appreciation of the male body as we, as women, get older. See, that right there is what I love about this author. Forgive me while I fangirl on Ms. Dahl for a moment. I stopped reading hetero romance because it was so hard to relate to the women in 90% of the stories and I found relating to men was much easier for me with gay romance and that is now what I primarily read. But this author; she is so in tune with women and not just by being a women but she writes REAL women. Women I can relate to because they have real issues or think the way I do. They aren’t these stereotypical women in romance; they are strong, independent and… they are just women. I mean, they are feminine and soft and also strong and can stand up and say “I love saying the word fuck and I like to fuck,” without shame or possible dilemma because they own their femininity and it makes them strong. Ugh. I am rambling and probably not making sense but Dahl writes women. My kind of women and there is never a let down with them in her books. Not for me.
Now back to the story; Jake is a widower who lives with his adult daughter who is planning her wedding and Lauren is divorced from one of Jake’s oldest friends. A bit of issue there but these two have been checking each other out for quite some time now and have yet to act on it. But on the night Laurens’ friend and coworker Sophie talks her into cougaring it up and going out on the prowl for a young piece at the local bar, Jake shows up and he and Lauren finally let the years of liking one another in secret take it’s course.
That scene, that first scene of them together was hot, I mean scorching hot with not just the words, it was everything that went with it and then I died right along with Jake and Laruen at the “classic romantic comedy” moment. I had to put my hand over my mouth I was laughing so hard to not wake my husband. It was so cringe worthy and yet so damn funny. Ugh. Those two. I feel for them.
Then there is that whole talk in the kitchen and what follows and… good lord. I can go on and on what I loved about this short story but that’s really it. I loved it! I can’t wait to see who the rest of the series is about? Annabelle and Kevin? Sophie and Gerard? I am up for them all. Bring it on.
Oh and one last thing to share for, um, reasons:
Any book with a unicorn mention… that’s reason enough. *winks*
This, this short was so much fun. It was intelligent, it was hilarious and it was fucking sexy. OMG! Was it sexy. *fans self*
I have to get one thing out of the way because it was one of my favorite things about this story; the age MC’s ! Gah! Jake is forty-six and sexy with his salt and pepper chest hair and Lauren is a sultry women of forty-three who owns her sexuality, knows what she wants and holds no reservations for it! What a refreshing story to have this couple in their forties, it really made the story and I loved the hell out of it.
I adored Lauren and Jake’s story. From page one, we get Lauren, the town’s librarian ogling a bare chested Jake, the local Captain of the Firehouse on his run.
Why had it taken her four decades to realize how beautiful the male body was? And how very much she wanted more of it? She never once thought about tasting a sweaty male chest in her twenties. Now she wanted to like Jake Davis clean.
Oh Lauren, I SO agree with you on that. Not only about licking Jake clean but about the appreciation of the male body as we, as women, get older. See, that right there is what I love about this author. Forgive me while I fangirl on Ms. Dahl for a moment. I stopped reading hetero romance because it was so hard to relate to the women in 90% of the stories and I found relating to men was much easier for me with gay romance and that is now what I primarily read. But this author; she is so in tune with women and not just by being a women but she writes REAL women. Women I can relate to because they have real issues or think the way I do. They aren’t these stereotypical women in romance; they are strong, independent and… they are just women. I mean, they are feminine and soft and also strong and can stand up and say “I love saying the word fuck and I like to fuck,” without shame or possible dilemma because they own their femininity and it makes them strong. Ugh. I am rambling and probably not making sense but Dahl writes women. My kind of women and there is never a let down with them in her books. Not for me.
Now back to the story; Jake is a widower who lives with his adult daughter who is planning her wedding and Lauren is divorced from one of Jake’s oldest friends. A bit of issue there but these two have been checking each other out for quite some time now and have yet to act on it. But on the night Laurens’ friend and coworker Sophie talks her into cougaring it up and going out on the prowl for a young piece at the local bar, Jake shows up and he and Lauren finally let the years of liking one another in secret take it’s course.
“Lauren, are you drunk?”
“I’m a little buzzed.”
“How buzzed.”
“Buzzed enough to tell you that I love watching you run without a shirt on.”
That scene, that first scene of them together was hot, I mean scorching hot with not just the words, it was everything that went with it and then I died right along with Jake and Laruen at the “classic romantic comedy” moment. I had to put my hand over my mouth I was laughing so hard to not wake my husband. It was so cringe worthy and yet so damn funny. Ugh. Those two. I feel for them.
Then there is that whole talk in the kitchen and what follows and… good lord. I can go on and on what I loved about this short story but that’s really it. I loved it! I can’t wait to see who the rest of the series is about? Annabelle and Kevin? Sophie and Gerard? I am up for them all. Bring it on.
Oh and one last thing to share for, um, reasons:
She was a goddamn unicorn of selfishness.
Any book with a unicorn mention… that’s reason enough. *winks*
January 17, 2015
Okay, all you people who insisted that I just had to jump on this series because it was spunky, hot and fun, I finally got around to it. Y'all were right. I was so pleasantly surprised that this was an autumn romance. I loved the mature widowed firefighter hero and the divorced librarian heroine that were the close friends of their previous spouses living in a small town. Just so much goodness to grab hold. This one got to the point quick as its a shorter prequel novella. That being said, it didn't skimp on the development though I admit that it ended abruptly.
The story opens with middle-aged Lauren Foster coming to an epiphany that she is tired of life passing her by now that her son has gone off to college and her ex-husband has moved on. She wants a fling so she takes a fellow librarian up on her offer of a girls night out to meet guys.
Widower, Jake Davis, comes to the same conclusion about his own life with the help of his grown daughter and her fiance'. He loved his wife, but he really needs to move on and he knows just the woman he wants to make a try with.
Jake and Lauren know they have some sizzle between them, but there is also a lot of past and circumstances that make them realize that this gamble might go up in flames and leave them worse off than before. Lauren is particularly hesitant knowing that her sexual appetites, strong ways and less than sweet inclinations are the opposite of Jake's deceased wife who was like a saint. Jake sees Lauren's assertive, confident wild side and revels in it. Will something that feels good prove lasting?
I enjoyed the opening pages as these two lonely, uncertain people circle each other warily. They endure a disastrous first attempt and then have a frank conversation and an even more honest night of passion. There wasn't a lot of page time to this story, but I was impressed with how much I was able to learn about and connect with both these characters and their situations. My only niggle was that it ended quickly. There was a strong indication of where things were leading, but I really wanted to be reassured with the words. Suffice to say, I've filled in with my imagination to compensate.
The next book is Sophie's and I am so curious to learn all about her and read her romance after being introduced to her in this book.
All in all, it was a really good read and I recommend it to Contemporary Romance fans who like sizzling hot mature lovers, firefighter heroes, small towns and librarians who hide a lot of fire under their prim clothes.
The story opens with middle-aged Lauren Foster coming to an epiphany that she is tired of life passing her by now that her son has gone off to college and her ex-husband has moved on. She wants a fling so she takes a fellow librarian up on her offer of a girls night out to meet guys.
Widower, Jake Davis, comes to the same conclusion about his own life with the help of his grown daughter and her fiance'. He loved his wife, but he really needs to move on and he knows just the woman he wants to make a try with.
Jake and Lauren know they have some sizzle between them, but there is also a lot of past and circumstances that make them realize that this gamble might go up in flames and leave them worse off than before. Lauren is particularly hesitant knowing that her sexual appetites, strong ways and less than sweet inclinations are the opposite of Jake's deceased wife who was like a saint. Jake sees Lauren's assertive, confident wild side and revels in it. Will something that feels good prove lasting?
I enjoyed the opening pages as these two lonely, uncertain people circle each other warily. They endure a disastrous first attempt and then have a frank conversation and an even more honest night of passion. There wasn't a lot of page time to this story, but I was impressed with how much I was able to learn about and connect with both these characters and their situations. My only niggle was that it ended quickly. There was a strong indication of where things were leading, but I really wanted to be reassured with the words. Suffice to say, I've filled in with my imagination to compensate.
The next book is Sophie's and I am so curious to learn all about her and read her romance after being introduced to her in this book.
All in all, it was a really good read and I recommend it to Contemporary Romance fans who like sizzling hot mature lovers, firefighter heroes, small towns and librarians who hide a lot of fire under their prim clothes.
July 18, 2014
Fanning the Flames is a great introduction to Ms. Dahl’s new series, Jackson Girl’s Night Out. Ms Dahl delivered what she is known for; writing small town romance filled with humor, hot scenes and swoon worthy heroes.
After years of being divorced, Lauren never expected to have another relationship and after Jake widowed, he never thought he could have feelings for another woman again, but Ms. Dahl had given them another chance at happiness. Their story is short, sweet and down to the point.
This prequel was such an enjoyable read. Lauren plays the role of the uptight Librarian but on the contrary she is dying to get out of her uptight shell. And Jake, well,l he’s a fire chief who is well built, well endowed and runs with his shirt off. He is sweet, manly and goes after what he wants in life. Need I say more? These two have known each other and now, they will have the chance to act on their attraction for each other. They made me laugh at the silly situations they are in and the fact that the situations can happen to anyone made me laugh even more.
Per Dahl, via her website, this series is set in the same time and place as her original Jackson series. She even mentioned that the characters from that series may make appearances. I wish I knew to look out for them. I enjoyed that series and I would’ve love to see the cameos. I will definitely be on the look out for them in the next installment, Looking for Trouble which will release July 29th, 2014.
*ARC provided by publisher
September 11, 2014
Fanning the Flames is the novella prequel, or taster if you will, to Dahl's new Girl's Night Out series set in Jackson. As an avid Dahl fan I couldn't resist this little snippet to whet my appetite before the release of the first in the series, Looking for Trouble.
What I liked most about this novella, and what I like most about Dahl, is that even in this short space we get a good introduction to our characters and enough of a teaser to make me chomp at the bit for the full novel released this week.
Lauren and Jake's story contains everything that I love about Dahl; great characters, wonderful chemistry and some of the best steamy scenes going. Lauren is a reserved librarian divorcée who's harbouring some serious lust for her ex-husband's best friend, Jake, who just happens to be a particularly hunky fire captain. Jake, our delightfully shirtless jogger, is widowed and in a case of serious denial regarding his best friend's ex-wife. Jake and Lauren make for a great and interesting couple, being a bit older, more experienced, and over coming their loyalty to their mutual acquaintance their story isn't overly simplistic for the short space it occupies and it's always nice to read about people happily settled in their skin and over the age of 25.
If you've never read any of Dahl's books then this is the ideal taster to introduce you to her fabulous romances, and if you're an established fan then you won't be disappointed.
Review originally appeared on Rosie Reads Romance
What I liked most about this novella, and what I like most about Dahl, is that even in this short space we get a good introduction to our characters and enough of a teaser to make me chomp at the bit for the full novel released this week.
Lauren and Jake's story contains everything that I love about Dahl; great characters, wonderful chemistry and some of the best steamy scenes going. Lauren is a reserved librarian divorcée who's harbouring some serious lust for her ex-husband's best friend, Jake, who just happens to be a particularly hunky fire captain. Jake, our delightfully shirtless jogger, is widowed and in a case of serious denial regarding his best friend's ex-wife. Jake and Lauren make for a great and interesting couple, being a bit older, more experienced, and over coming their loyalty to their mutual acquaintance their story isn't overly simplistic for the short space it occupies and it's always nice to read about people happily settled in their skin and over the age of 25.
If you've never read any of Dahl's books then this is the ideal taster to introduce you to her fabulous romances, and if you're an established fan then you won't be disappointed.
Review originally appeared on Rosie Reads Romance
January 12, 2015
This is a prequel to the first book in the series Girl's Night Out. This one is all about Lauren (the local librarian) and the Captain in the fire department, Jake. Lauren has been divorced for a few years and really wants to get back into the game but can't seem to move past her crush on Jake. What she doesn't realize is that Jake has been subtly checking her out for the past year. They both have reservations about getting together because Jake was friends with her ex and Lauren knew Jake's deceased wife. Things could definitely prove awkward, but might also be worth it.
I loved this short story. It wasn't too short that I felt like I was missing out on a whole relationship and it was just enough to get me wanting to read the next book in the series. I liked that Lauren was the aggressor in the relationship as often it's the man who is the one who is demanding. Also, despite it being a snippet of the series, I still found it amusing and laughed out loud a few times. I really enjoy the way that Dahl writes and her trademark combination of humor and sex.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I've already read the first book and now I'm off to read Flirting with Disaster which is book 2.
Thanks to Harlequin and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this short story. It wasn't too short that I felt like I was missing out on a whole relationship and it was just enough to get me wanting to read the next book in the series. I liked that Lauren was the aggressor in the relationship as often it's the man who is the one who is demanding. Also, despite it being a snippet of the series, I still found it amusing and laughed out loud a few times. I really enjoy the way that Dahl writes and her trademark combination of humor and sex.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I've already read the first book and now I'm off to read Flirting with Disaster which is book 2.
Thanks to Harlequin and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2015
A nice well written short read full of heat and passion.
Jake is an older widowed sexy firefighter who Lauren has been lusting after for a few years. Lauren loves to secretly drool/watch him as he jogs by shirtlesss, one sexy man! But she doesn't let him know as he is her ex-husband's friend and they used to do things as couples....and she liked his wife.
Lauren believes because her marriage failed that she is not cut out for it. She is too independent and strong-willed that no man would stay. Jake has noticed her from time to time but has put the brakes on it too....but one day that changes and he sets out to get her.
A series of close encounters follow as they learn to overcome their guilt. The part where they are making out on the couch and his engaged daughter comes in is priceless.
This is a fast paced read with a lot packed in the pages.
Jake is an older widowed sexy firefighter who Lauren has been lusting after for a few years. Lauren loves to secretly drool/watch him as he jogs by shirtlesss, one sexy man! But she doesn't let him know as he is her ex-husband's friend and they used to do things as couples....and she liked his wife.
Lauren believes because her marriage failed that she is not cut out for it. She is too independent and strong-willed that no man would stay. Jake has noticed her from time to time but has put the brakes on it too....but one day that changes and he sets out to get her.
A series of close encounters follow as they learn to overcome their guilt. The part where they are making out on the couch and his engaged daughter comes in is priceless.
This is a fast paced read with a lot packed in the pages.
June 15, 2014
When I started this one I didn't expect to like it as much as I did at the start. Lauren sort of came off as a stuck up bitch and I didn't look forward to a whole book with that kind of character. But Lauren wasn't like that, it was more the front she put on for people to see. I found Lauren's crush on take to be funny. The book really took a great turn when Lauren and Jake got caught in a compromising situation and acted like teens caught by their parents, instead of the other way around. Lauren really won me over when she finally came clean with Jake about what she wanted and why she was happy with her life, I think she stunned Jake for a few minutes, it was great!
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
July 6, 2016
Short novella about the hot hot romance between a librarian (sexy!) And a firefighter (even more sexy!)
I loved that they're in their 40s, they have kids and this is a second love for both.
Plus I loved Lauren (our MC) and I can relate to not feeling feminine enough, to loving her work, loving her space. And while I don't have kids I can totally understand not being the kind of mom that has time for school functions and being relieved when her kids left the nest.
The romance was short and quick and hot and I would definitely recommend it!
I loved that they're in their 40s, they have kids and this is a second love for both.
Plus I loved Lauren (our MC) and I can relate to not feeling feminine enough, to loving her work, loving her space. And while I don't have kids I can totally understand not being the kind of mom that has time for school functions and being relieved when her kids left the nest.
The romance was short and quick and hot and I would definitely recommend it!
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