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Sonoma #2

Breathing Her Fire

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She’s the spark he’s longed for his entire life but will her flame burn strong or die out?

Tucker James is captain of the Sonoma Fire Department, an infallible leader, and an all around badass. Not to mention hotter than the fires he puts out. He’s been in love with Natalie since he was a kid, and he’s finally getting a shot at making her his.

But with a dark past haunting his present and his future being threatened by an off the rails arsonist, Tucker is faced with deciding what’s most important, and how to keep it safe.

As the director of the Sonoma Public Library, Natalie Carlisle doesn’t take crap from anyone. She’s not afraid to be herself or tell you like it is, and there’s only one man who’s capable of keeping up with her sass. Tucker James.

He’s her fantasy man and the one she’s been in love with since she was little, and now that she’s finally got him where she’s always wanted him, nothing will stand in her way of getting her happily ever after.

Breathing Her Fire is a steamy romance about faith, trust, and believing in the power of love. It’s the second book in The Sonoma Series but can be read as a standalone.

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Published November 19, 2021

189 people are currently reading
209 people want to read

About the author

Shelby Gunter

21 books113 followers

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5 stars
182 (49%)
4 stars
130 (35%)
3 stars
48 (12%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Elin Kind.
Author 7 books22 followers
November 19, 2021
Amazing, but then I wasn't expecting anything else! Shelby's way of entangling mystery with romance is nothing short of awesome, and I have enjoyed every single second reading her books.
With each twist and turn this books takes you on, I was trying to figure out what the plot twist could be. Just as book one, Guarding Her Love, I was totally wrong haha!
Tucker and Natalie are perfect for each other, and being part of their story from start to finish was a pure pleasure!
I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review.
193 reviews3 followers
November 30, 2021
SO FREAKING GOOD!!

Omg, I feel in love with ALL the characters in this book. I thought after Book 1 that it couldn't be topped but MAN I fell in love with Nat and Tucker so quick!

There's so much story development and the pacing was EXCELLENT! I couldn't put it down. I can't WAIT for Book 3!!

(Can you hurry up with that one please?!?! Tick tock!! I already pre-ordered!!) 🤣🤣

10/10 recommend!!
Profile Image for Rachel Tobin.
16 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2022
This is another sweet and spicy small town love story from Shelby Gunter. I actually read this before I read book one, Guarding Her Love, and I love the characters just the same. Breathing Her Fire adds the dramatic unknown arsonist to the mix in Sonoma, and Firefighter Tucker is ready to save the day. Natalie has crushed on Tucker since their youth, and one chance meeting flips the script on their friendship. Shelby wonderfully stokes the fire in this book. Can't wait for more Sonoma!
Profile Image for Katie | Bewitchedbookmama .
70 reviews6 followers
November 9, 2021
Having just finished this book a few minutes earlier, I had to rush and write my review right NOW!

From page one, I was absolutely enthralled with this book and the plot. Tucker and Natalie were such enjoyable characters and even though there were a few moments almost too sweet to stand, the steam and heat came and lit this book on fire. (So it's a good think Tuck is a firefight, huh?)

This is the perfect suspenseful, who-dun-it romance. The best way to describe how this book feels is the following statement - Harlequin Suspense on crack. And better s3x scenes.

I adored this story and I can not wait to get my hands on book 3!
Profile Image for Rose Romance  Reviews.
183 reviews
November 19, 2021
4.5/5
Breathing her fire is the second book of the Sonoma series but can be read as a standalone. This is a childhood crush/second chance suspenseful romance.
Tucker is the fire captain with a dark past and crush on Natalie the director of the library since childhood. Unknown to Tucker, Natalie also has feelings for Tucker. Tucker finally has a opportunity to tell Natalie how he feels and build a relationship until Tucker’s past and an arsonist put the town and their relationship in danger.
This is another great book from Shelby Gunter. Addicting from beginning to end with suspense and steam. The book is written very similar to the first book and took a bit of the element of surprise away since knowing a bit of what to expect. This is an outstanding book and I recommend giving it a chance.

I was honored to receive an ARC and an voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Isabel.
3 reviews
November 22, 2021
If you’re in the mood for an easy read, packed with a steamy budding romance, and a side of mystery/suspense you’ve found the book you’re looking for! Read this in two sittings and enjoyed every bit of the story!
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
January 22, 2025
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/20/2022)! 🎁
Profile Image for Jenny Jackson.
1,265 reviews9 followers
December 16, 2023
Tucker and Natalie

This was a great second book for this series. I liked the juxtaposition between the sweet, but spicy, romance and the thrilling suspense. I like that it picked up right where book 1 left off, but with a new couple. The sense of community in the small town was still very prevalent in this book. And the closeness of Natalie’s group of friends really added to that.

Tucker had a traumatic backstory. He had kept to himself for years, but after being trapped in an elevator with the one person he’d always wanted, that changed. Through his love for Natalie he learned how being included could change his perspective. He found himself happy to have friends and his love for Natalie grew as he opened himself up to her and she accepted him without question.

I loved the way Natalie knew what she wanted and went after it. She was ready to take on the community counsel to get funds for her library and she didn’t bat a lash at hearing about Tucker’s childhood. I loved their love for Noah and he was the sweetest addition to this story.

The suspense with the arsonist got pretty intense. The suspenseful scenes were very well written and exciting. And even though I’d figured out who it was pretty early on, there were still a few surprises when his identity was revealed.

This was a good book overall. I loved that Quinn and Cooper’s wedding was shown. Natalie and Tucker were so perfect for each other. They began as childhood friends and ended up being each other’s true love.
Profile Image for Catheryn.
1,351 reviews27 followers
September 10, 2022
This story was a bit slow paced and not as suspenseful as the first in this series. I liked the relationship between Tucker and Nat, but I wished they had more interactions on the page. They talked to friends and family about how much they liked the other one, but I wished we as the reader got to experience it. It was more of telling the reader they had great chemistry rather than us witnessing it.

Cute love story but a bit slow.
Profile Image for Amanda Herring.
417 reviews11 followers
January 4, 2023
3.5 stars

These books are incredibly lovey-dovey and cheesy with a little mystery and suspense thrown in. I don't typically read a lot of sweet, mushy romances, but sometimes it's good to lighten it up a little, and this was cute. I liked the relationship between Natalie and Tucker, but I wish there had been a little more of them interacting with each other and a little less of them just talking to their friends and family about how much they loved each other.
77 reviews
March 9, 2024
Breathing Her Fire (The Sonoma Series Book 2)

Enjoyed the characters and their drive to overcome adversity and to be happy. Natalie and Tucker had traumatic events in their childhood and were able to find happiness due to their drive to survive and with the help of friends and family. This story was inspirational as well as funny. I had moment where I chuckled as well as teared up. Great story. Great author. Looking forward to reading more of her stories.
Profile Image for Amy  Crull.
2,443 reviews38 followers
January 28, 2025
Great book!!

This book may be short, but it packs a punch!! So many emotions in this one, I swear!!
Natalie and Tucker knew each other when they were younger, but due to Tucker moving, they kinda lost touch until now. A cute meet in an elevator starts a spark for them(see what I did there) lol. Add in the mysterious fires, a big family full of love, a new addition and marriages, this book will have your full attention!!
I seriously loved every minute of this book!!
165 reviews7 followers
April 3, 2023
Hot to the touch!

Hot firemen. Check. Sassy heroine. Check. Crazy arsonist ready to make him pay. Check! This book has this and so much more to love! This is one of those books i literally couldn't put down because i had to know if i was right about who the bad guy was! This one got my heart racing and i loved every minute! I can't wait to read more from Shelby!
Profile Image for Audrey Nelson.
353 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2024
Tucker and Natalie were great characters- this book pulls at all your heart strings and takes you for quite the ride! There are quite a few twists and turns and I really enjoyed that this book wasn't predictable. Tuck and Nat were perfect for each other, and I loved watching their story unfold together and how they started their life and family together.
567 reviews13 followers
December 15, 2024
Shelby is becoming one of my favorite new to me authors because her characters are so relatable, loveable and just realistic! I love the contemporary romance with suspense elements and the fact that she uses tropes sparingly!

This novel absolutely melted my heart and I loved that the MMC was a firefighter. This is a great small town hero story!
Profile Image for Brooklyn Sorenson.
Author 2 books142 followers
December 10, 2021
Sexy, swoony, and suspenseful!

***4.5 stars*** to this HEATED love story! Captain Tucker is melt-your-kindle HOT and the love he has for sassy Natalie is enough to make any woman jealous. A sweet, swoon-worthy romance with just enough suspense to keep you hooked!
Profile Image for Sarah.
9 reviews
June 3, 2022
Great rest

Another great book by Shelby Gunter. I've read 2 in 2 days! I love the relatable characters and the romantic, sweet story line. The mystery is an added bonus with her books.
2 reviews
October 4, 2022
Breathing Her Fire

Breathing Her Fire is filled with sexual desire and gratification, drama and suspence. The young romance romps along at a quick and satisfying pace and friends play a critical role in evolving relationships.
17 reviews
March 1, 2023
It's very good! I caught myself crying at times, both happy and sad tears! I really love this series and I'm going to keep reading. This series keeps you on the edge of your seat, but also has the romance aspect as well.
1,347 reviews5 followers
July 6, 2023
Natalie and Tucker have loved each other from a far without the other knowing

I would recommend this book for adult readers that enjoy reading stories that are a combination of being funny, steamy, suspenseful, and romantic, and a happily ever after.
Profile Image for Melissa Grave.
214 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2024
Again with the insta love but this one they at least had a past. Firefighter falls in love with the sweet librarian - what more could you want?! Also mix in the suspense and it was a really good read. PLUS bringing in the adoption/foster care and it was a good read!
Profile Image for Ash.
20 reviews
February 1, 2025
Can I say that loveddd it...yes I did💕

Tucker and Natalie were fire together.....And the epilogue had me crying 😭 I am a sucker of these types of moments..
🥰

You should definitely read this...if you love a headstrong heroine and alpha hero of ours✨
Profile Image for Sommer Yates.
100 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ only rated 4.5 because I liked the first one a little more! I read Noah’s story first so I did know the characters a little beforehand. But I loved meeting little Noah and learning the story of how they got him. Suspense was good. Spice was good! ♥️
Profile Image for Stephanie Burch.
384 reviews
July 27, 2023
Awwwww

Second chance romance, arson and a foster kid. That's a whole lot for one book. Shelby Gunter knew just what to do to make this book a can't put down 5 star read.
Profile Image for Lauren.
697 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2023
4.5 stars

Tucker and Natalie are so good together. I didn't see that coming, and the suspense was super good.
Profile Image for Jamie  Leigh.
6,567 reviews29 followers
October 24, 2023
Great read

This was a wonderful suspense story! The arsonist was a surprise and I didn't see that coming! I loved the characters and there was great writing as well!
Profile Image for Amber Rose.
112 reviews
July 7, 2025
I read them out of order! But knew I would absolutely adore tuckers story!! Ahh swoooon~ 100/10 recommend! The suspense and the banter and the spice was perfection!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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