Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Texas Hotline #5

The Secret Crush Rescue

Rate this book
A K9-certified EMT, the new girl in town he instantly falls for, and the blind date disaster that finally makes her notice him — just not the way he hopes. Knight Harlan is the heartthrob of Heart Lake — the guy every single lady in town wants to date (and most of them have). Everyone, that is, except his best friend’s sister, who makes it painfully clear she wants nothing to do with him. Holly Burke allows her sister to talk her into moving to Texas for one reason only — a fresh start. And that doesn’t include getting involved with yet another playboy. Despite Knight’s hometown hero reputation, her better judgment tells her he’s the last guy in town she should ever trust with her heart. Until disaster strikes, leaving her entirely at the mercy of the man she’s been secretly and hopelessly crushing on...

Second This book was previously included in the Disaster City Search and Rescue Series. It has since been revised and recovered for the Texas Hotline Series.

TEXAS HOTLINE SERIES
The Plus One Rescue
The Secret Baby Rescue
The Bridesmaid Rescue
The Girl Next Door Rescue
The Secret Crush Rescue
The Bachelorette Rescue
The Rebound One Rescue
The Fake Bride Rescue
The Blind Date Rescue
The Maid by Mistake Rescue
The Unlucky Bride Rescue
The Temporary Family Rescue

BORN IN HOMETOWN HEROES A-Z
A - Accidental Hero
B - Best Friend Hero
C - Celebrity Hero
D - Damaged Hero
E - Enemies to Hero
F - Forbidden Hero
G - Guardian Hero
H - Hunk and Hero
I - Instantly Her Hero
J - Jilted Hero
K - Kissable Hero
L - Long Distance Hero

140 pages, ebook

Published August 3, 2021

214 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Jo Grafford

167 books667 followers
Jo is an Amazon bestselling author of heartwarming cowboy romantic suspense stories, with a few Texas-sized detours into humor.

Join Cuppa Jo Readers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cuppa.... Join her newsletter at https://www.JoGrafford.com.

Jo also writes clean western historical romance and cozy mysteries as Jovie Grace.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
321 (73%)
4 stars
83 (19%)
3 stars
29 (6%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,082 reviews131 followers
August 6, 2021
I have really enjoyed this series and Jo Grafford writes so smoothly, you become engaged quickly with the characters and setting!

Combine a beautiful nurse, an EMT who are training on a search and rescue team, and magic happens!
Holly was trying to get over a bad relationship and had moved back to Heart Lake to work at the hospital. Most of all she wanted to start back her program to help teens.

Knight was an EMT and he had feelings for Holly for a long time. So it seems perfect when they both start working with the SAR team

Simply wonderful story, especially with the dogs and learning of the training. It is a journey to love, but well worth the time!!
587 reviews
August 10, 2021
The Secret Crush Rescue is a story of Holly, nurse at the medical center and now she was asked to be in the search and rescue team for Heart Lake. Her ex's best friend Knight an EMT has showed up in Heart Lake also and she finds out that he is on the search and rescue team as the helicopter pilot. He finds out about Holly's allergy to dogs and tells her about a breeder on the other side of town that breeds a dog that is hypoallergenic. She goes to see about getting one and is told Knight has already paid for two dogs. He tells the team he will be her partner so they have the same type of dogs to make her life easier. She has a crush on him but, is worried he will be like her ex as he is already known as the playboy of Heart Lake. He has the biggest crush on her since they first met before she went to dating his doctor friend. They were set up on a blind date but she told him to pretend it never happened. She had been cheated on once already by his best friend Dr. Ex.

She is accepted to go to the Diaster Search and Rescue Academy to get certified. When she gets there who turns out to be the substitute instructor than Knight. He is rough on her and she thinks they have no chance at getting together now, but she finds out that he is there to make sure she gets all the hardest training she can and to make sure no one thinks there is something between the two of them. But, on the final exam, they were on the final countdown and Holly and Jac had not made it out of the cave. Fear consumed Knight that something must have happened to the two women recruits. if they didn't make it out on time they would fail the entire course. The guys who had made it out was counting the final seconds down 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. . . .
1,780 reviews33 followers
August 6, 2021
I love all these books in the series but you don't have to read them all to know what is happening! They are standalones! Knight is a very self-assured guy and he's been taken with Holly for a long time but his once friend was dating her so he couldn't say anything. Now that that "jerk friend" broke her heart, he can possibly do something about it but Holly thinks Knight is a playboy kind of guy and when they go on a blind date, she's definitely not going to give him a chance! I really enjoyed how Knight won her over! Her found out something important about her that she hadn't shared with anyone and then used that information to help her achieve a dream. I loved the dogs, the action, the characters and everything about this book!
1,004 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2021
The Secret Crush Rescue: A K9 Handler Romance by Jo Grafford is book 20 of Disaster City Search and Rescue. This story is Holly who is a nurse and Knight who is an EMT. Holly\s knight in rescue and protection mode is Knight. Jo Grafford has written a story with many twists and turns so you will be looking for what happens next. K-9 Search and Rescue is an interesting part of the story as well as the Academy which has some interesting twists. All of the books in the series can be read as a stand alone but the series has characters that are in many of the stories. This story will make you laugh and cry and cheer. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its twists.

Received ARC and this is my honest review.
1,181 reviews6 followers
August 3, 2021
Loved Knight and Holly's story!! Holly is sure she NEVER wants another playboy, and she's positive Knight is; after all, he's her ex's best friend, or so she thinks! Knight has lost at carpet ball to Maci so many times, and each time he loses, he has to go on a blind date. This time, his blind date is Holly, the woman he's had a crush on since he first met her. Too bad she was dating a friend, now ex-friend because of how he treated Holly. Will Knight be able to get Holly to see him as he really is, and get her to like him? Such a great read!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
831 reviews3 followers
August 9, 2021
Each person is unique.

Holly needed to learn that even friends are not the same. Knight had been best friends with her playboy ex but to blame him for being like another is wrong. In trying to be outgoing and brave she signed up for search and rescue to help others in spite of a very good reason to not join. Knight thinks outside the box and believes that where there's a will there's a way. Loved the challenges she faced as well as the descriptions of the training. Relatable three dimensional characters and realistic situations made this an enjoyable read. Clean story.

Received ARC and this is my honest review.
172 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2024
The Secret Crush Rescue builds on characters introduced in previous series and tells their story about finding love. It takes place in Heart Lake which is great because I read the Heart Lake series first and now am getting the background to events that happen later. Grafford’s descriptive writing is her superpower. She fills her stories with descriptions of her scenes, characters and moments, which also brings great romance in her relationships. She has a special ability to bring across understated conversations and narration that makes the reader smile and gives extra depth to her stories.
Profile Image for SJ Garrison.
652 reviews
August 10, 2021
Enjoyed Holly and Knight's story. Holly a Nurse becoming a part of a K9 Mountain Rescue team was keeping a secret. She's allergic to Dogs. Knight had loved Holly ever since he first met her several years ago. He was the EMT and Pilot for the K9 Mountain Rescue team. He was determined to help her pass her exams for certification. I laughed and cheered her spunk. If you like clean, second chance books, you will enjoy, 'The Secret Crush Rescue '. I highly recommend. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
63 reviews7 followers
August 12, 2021
I loved this book! It was so interesting about a nurse who also wanted to do more with her life, and that was to help with the city’s disaster search and rescue team. But, it’s a K-9 unit, and she has severe allergies to dogs! Also, the other person she is teamed up with, a doctor, was her ex-husband’s best friend! I love how Jo Grafford weaves together such minute details in her novels. She must do hours upon hours of research!! You’re going to love all of the adventures in this fantastic book! I can’t wait to read her next novel! ❤️❤️
Profile Image for Cindy.
805 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2021
This is a great series, although the books each stand alone. Sometime a character or characters from other books play a part, but they are not the main focus. These are clean romances with characters you root for and dogs! Holly is a nurse who has moved to be closer to her sister and away from her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her. A blind date finds her meeting her ex's best friend, now his ex-friend. A chance to be part of a SAR team finds them meeting again.
4,583 reviews38 followers
January 6, 2023
The Secret Crush Rescue is a clean, heartwarming, inspirational romance. L really enjoy Ms. Grafford's well written books about these search and rescue, first responders. Holly, a nurse allergic to dogs, and Knight, an EMT, both join the newly formed SAR team in Heart Lake. As they train, Knight suspects Holly's allergies and manipulates things to make her suffering less. I cannot read enough about these people and their wonderful, amazing dogs. I devoured this book in one sitting.
2 reviews
June 25, 2025
Mire Believable IF...

If they had been working together one day a week and dating for four weeks, instead of in the highly structured environment in unequal roles for that time. Or if they had dated AT ALL, since their blind date.

Learning about the hypoallergenic, barkless, yodeling dogs was interesting. But the story as a whole is unfulfilling, for me. *** is the best I can do.
Profile Image for Bonny Rambarran.
1,521 reviews21 followers
August 4, 2021
He makes no secret of the fact that he likes her, All she can see is her old boyfriend - and since they were best friends assumes he is the same. She’s a nurse. He’s a doctor . .. . . . . and this story gets better with every page. Jo Grafford’s books get better every time!!! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,436 reviews36 followers
August 7, 2021
Holly and Knight are wonderful characters. Knight is determined to prove that he is not a player like Holly's ex. She's determined to be more spontaneous and adventurous so it works out well. Love this series and the glimpses into SAR work.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
4,589 reviews33 followers
August 12, 2021
As a person who loves dogs and cats and has a severe allergy to both I can empathize with Holly. The promise of a dream job along with a dream job, she just has to learn to survive being around his dog. Jo Grafford has again combines a good story, interesting characters, humor and an element of danger. Oh, be still my heart.
309 reviews4 followers
January 2, 2023
Knight and Holly are new members of the Heart Lake SAR group. They have a history that makes working together questionable. Knight has a well deserved reputation as a heartthrob…not a positive trait! Holly is stuck in a rut and looking to change. As individuals they are interesting but they make an unlikely couple. It’s a nice story but a little cheesy.
774 reviews5 followers
May 6, 2024
Holley and Knight

These two crack me up. Can’t let anyone and each other how much they care about each up. Holley is so so allergic to dogs she cannot be around them or touch them or have dog hair on her. She is just crushed that she cannot be in the rescue class she signed up for. The class now requires you to have a dog. Can Knight help her out? Read read read now!!!!!
Profile Image for Love.
1,747 reviews5 followers
August 4, 2021
Beautiful Love Story

This is awesome and charming love story with amazing and adorable characters that will definitely pull at th your heart strings as they journey towards their happily ever after moments.
2,398 reviews17 followers
August 4, 2021
I really enjoyed Knight and Holly and the adventures they had together. They had great chemistry. I also learned about a dog breed that I had never heard of. This is a sweet adventurous clean romance.
Profile Image for Marie.
5,285 reviews53 followers
August 6, 2021
"Fly with me, baby"

Holly finally finds her 'Knight' but she does everything she can to avoid being swept off her feet!
This is a Disaster City Rescue book with a twist, which kept it fresh and intriguing. I read this on Kindle Unlimited
Profile Image for Shonda.
Author 10 books48 followers
August 7, 2021
Fantastic book! Great characters that are very charming. I love the twist with the dogs on this one. The flirty banter is fun and makes for a great romance. Another great read from Jo!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
1,933 reviews5 followers
August 17, 2021
The secret crush rescue

Jo Grafford did it again with this search and rescue story as with all others they were great to read. Keep up the great work. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
38 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2021
Authentic

I had not read this author. I like the way she words things and her flow. She’s always a jump ahead of you. You can tell she studies each character and thinks each one out .
1,350 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2022
Powerful and exciting

This is a well written and very powerful exciting story. The author puts lots of adventures throughout the entire story. So far this was one of my favorite stories.
845 reviews
November 8, 2022
SAR story. One of the best.

It is interesting to see a nurse and an EMT doing search and rescue. It makes sense but this story really brings it home. I loved the end where the nurse actually rescues someone during her test.
Profile Image for Mary Jane McLeod.
2,966 reviews6 followers
January 14, 2023
Really Great Series

I'm so enjoying this series and all the characters. I loved Knight and Holly's story. She was afraid to try again but he wasn't one to give up. A really great read with intrigue as well as romance.
Profile Image for Pam Jackson-gorsline.
985 reviews3 followers
February 15, 2023
SAR

This is a good story with many twists and turns. I enjoy reading about the dog training . it would also be nice to learn more what they do in training center, other things than dogs.
2,404 reviews13 followers
February 6, 2024
The Secret Rescue

This was a great story about nurse becomng a rescue team member. Another male nurse from her previous hospital, also came to Heartlake town to be in this team. Both were involved in more training. Enjoy this great story.
Profile Image for Medenna.
810 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2025
What a hero Holly becomes.

Holly, the nurse has a secret which could get her kicked off the SAR team. Knight turns into a hero along the way. Another really great book in this series.
886 reviews7 followers
March 3, 2025
Great story

A lady nurse allergic to dogs agrees to mentor teens, fight drug use & join the dog search team.
Interesting last chapter that includes a cave rescue. The author included a neat solution to an irritating allergy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.