Hearts on Fire

Hearts of Texas #1

by Christina Berry

The plan was to fix up the farmhouse, sell it, and leave. Then I met Drew...and his cat Bodhi.

I’m a stranger in this place. When a car accident nearly killed me, Mom took me away from my father and this small Texas town. Now, I’m back, and while everyone seems to remember the little girl I used to be, no one knows the woman I’ve become. That’s okay. I’m not here to reconnect or fix what’s broken between my father and me. I’m just here to fix the house I inherited, sell it, and go.

Then I meet Bodhi, the three-legged cat who keeps peeing on my porch. And along comes Bodhi’s dad, Drew, the protective firefighter with rough hands, a smooth smile, and such a dirty mouth.

Drew has a reputation for rescuing strays. Is that what I am, another stray for him to rescue? Or this time, maybe I'll be the rescuer.

Hearts on Fire is a sexy, full-length, small town romance featuring a cat dad firefighter and a feisty heroine. It is Book One of the Hearts of Texas series.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Firefighters, Small Town Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance, Novella

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2022

About the author

Christina Berry is an award-winning author of smart, smutty romance. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Christina is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and currently resides in Austin, Texas. When not writing, she can be found helping her husband with their never-ending home remodeling adventure or spoiling their amazing dog.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because there was a cat on the cover.

Turns out my instincts were right and Bodhi the cat was the highlight of the story.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Town Romance? 🔥
Firefighter MMC? 🔥
Dual POV? 🔥
Rom-Com? 🔥
HEA? 🔥

Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Hearts on Fire will make you laugh loudly and then melt away your giggles the moment the steam enters the chat, okay!?

Christina puts you smack dab in the middle a woman starting over again, she’s doing way more than just renovating a house but renovating her heart after deep sadness, Chloe isn’t expecting to fall for Drew… or his little friend, Bodhi (his cat ladies 👀😏). Drew isn’t exactly starting over, but he has been down this road before and is just, such a perfect match to meet Chloe where she’s at.

What I loved:
✨This was a fast and fun read, it was just what I needed and I devoured it
✨The intense chemistry between Drew and Chloe
✨So much unexpected laughter
✨The willingness to love without complication or reservation
✨The banter between MCs was amazing

What I wanted more of:
✨I wanted more backstory on both Chloe and Drew, I wanted to dig deeper as the reader to really fall head over heels for them
✨Give me all the SEXY STEAM and parts in between (this doesn’t take away, I’m just greedy)

I loved the immediate spark and found myself on more than one occasion giggling like a school girl, blushing, and laughing… so much laughing.

[Kylie ve · Rating 4 out of 5]

So where can I find a cat/animal loving firefighter??? Cause I think I need one now….

[cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
firefighting cat dad? please and thank you. this was such a sweet small-town romance. you really can't go wrong with small town romances. they're sweet and perfect. these two were no exception

[Jenni Bara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this small town romance between Chloe and Drew. Chloe inherits her grandmother house in the small Texas town where Drew is a fireman. But they meet not because of a fire because Bodhi Drew’s Cat won’t stop breaking in to Chloe’s house. Although I love how tough Chloe is even with all she has been through Bodhi stole the show. Between his cranky attitude, his jungle gym at home and the orange collars - I loved the cat and his dad Drew. Watching Drew open up and Chloe over come her PTSD as their relationship heated up kept the pages turning. And the side character added to the mix. ms Berry had me laughing with her library flood ghost.

Definitely check this one out if you like

🔥hot firefights
🔥small town fun
🔥Cat dads
🔥strong heroines

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the main characters in this book and their love story, but Bohdi stole the show. I enjoyed how he snuck his way into Chloe’s house, like he knew he was important to him. The plot drew you in, it was definitely now without drama, suspense, love. Bohdi’s story breaks your heart, I love how he overcame it and they stepped up to help another cat when needed. This book will definitely capture your heart from the very beginning, especially how all of the characters add to the story. I highly recommend you give it a try, especially if you enjoy sweet romances. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MyDogAteMyBookReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta Review

I’ve been a Christina fan since Up For Air (if you haven’t read it yet, go read it)

This time she goes small town romance and she killed it 😍 Drew, who doesn’t love a man who loves animals? Chloe is everything I love in a heroine.

This story does deal with PTSD and Christina handled it very well and respectfully.

[Danette Fowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bohdi is my fave character of this book. His dad being a firefighter who saved him is awesome. Intense emotions shows how life witb PTSD can be like. Shows you can survive no matter what happens to you as long as you choose to whether human or animal. Love it!!I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super cute book

Chloe and Drew meet because his cat keeps coming and peeing on her porch and the rest is history.

There is drama and suspense and love in this book and it highlights people with anxiety which i think many people misunderstand.

This was a good book and i recommend it for sure!

[H-e-l-e-n-a · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chloe hereda una casa antigua y con bastante necesidad de una renovación. Sin nada que hacer a la vista, decide mudarse a esa propiedad, renovarla y venderla.
Estando ahí conoce a un vecino engreído llamado Drew, dueño de un gato de igual carácter 🤣
Chloe sufre de PTSD además de ansiedad. Estuvo controlada un tiempo, hasta que conoce el oficio de Drew, y al enamorarse de él, detona sus padecimientos.


Fue un libro ligero, divertido, y tiene sus momentos tristes. No es la joya del año pero me gustó haberlo leído. 👌🏻

[Idalia Helaena · Rating 5 out of 5]

super cute smalltown romance!

Chloe had no plans for small town life - she planned on fixing up the house her grandmother left her, selling it, and leaving. But that plan went out the window the moment she meets Drew, her attractive new neighbor. He might own the most annoying cat on the planet, but their connection is something she can’t ignore. As Chloe and Drew get closer, her fears start to come out to play. She’d never planned on staying - but can she really leave this new life - and love - she’s found behind?

Oh. My. Gosh. This book was everything I didn’t know I needed!!! It had it all - witty banter, angsty emotions, amazing humor, and the perfect amount of steam!!! I loved how Drew and Chloe’s relationship developed over the course of the novel, but my absolute favorite part of this book was the theme that biology isn’t what makes a family. At one point, Drew says that “Family is the people who choose you and the people you choose,” and I think that’s incredibly powerful.

Drew. He’s been through a lot, but he doesn’t let that affect the way he treats others. He’s like… perfect book boyfriend material. Like seriously, can I keep him? Anyways, Drew is kind, caring, and selfless - plus that mouth of his!!! Chloe. She’s got walls, and she’s trying not to get attached to anything in the town. But with Drew, all of that is different. She can just be her silly, quirky self with him, and I love that. Chloe is a character I can relate to on a personal level for mental health reasons, and I loved seeing that represented in a romance novel!

I loved Drew and Chloe together. Their interactions were hilarious, especially at the beginning. I could sense the spark between them from their very first meeting, which I loved. All in all, I highly recommend this novel!!!

[Larissa Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review provided after receiving an ARC of this book to review

MC: Chloe & Drew

4/5⭐️
3/5🌶

Dual POV, small town, fire fighter, slow burn, past trauma, parent issues, HEA

Chloe recently inherited her grandmother’s house and moved into it while she does renovations. Shortly after getting there, she meets Drew, her firefighter neighbor, and his cat, Bodhi. They don’t start things on good terms but quickly start to fall for each other. All the while, Chloe is dealing with her father who abandoned her after he almost killed her in a crash as a child.
As a paramedic, I completely loved this! I’m not normally crazy about first responder themes in books because they tend to get things wrong but this book delivered realistic fire scenes. It helped show why Chloe was having such a hard time dealing with Drew and the dangers he faced. The banter between Drew and Chloe was so fun. I also enjoyed all the 90’s references that are peppered into the story.

[Chelsea Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I loved Drew and Chloe together and I always love a protective man!! There was a good amount of drama that kept me really invested in the characters stories and made it such an easy book to get through.

Drew is a firefighter/catdad who ends up being Chloe’s neighbor when she moves into her grandmother’s home to fix it up. She has no intention of staying once the house is done, until she meets Drew and his feline friend and that’s when things get interesting 😍

As I’ve read more romance, I’ve learned that I’m not a huge fan of “Insta-love” which this kind of was but I could get past it.

I am also a cat person, and this book had some adorable feline characters 😻

Definitely check for trigger warnings before reading. @authorchristinaberry talks about them in the beginning before the book gets started which was nice!

Overall this was a solid read and I really enjoyed it!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Christina Berry's since I read UP FOR AIR (go, right now, and grab that book, and read it right after this one!) and THE ROAD HOME (also fantastic), so I was thrilled to know she was ready with HEARTS ON FIRE. And Berry did not disappoint. From the drool factor of this cover (those faces, those eyes!) to the flawed primary characters (love me some Drew and Chloe) to the intriguing secondary characters (I'm looking at you, Dee, Watts, Rooster, and Inez) to the storyline, I loved them all. And it probably doesn't hurt that I'm a sucker for a love story and for cats. So HEARTS ON FIRE checks all the boxes for me. I also appreciate the grace and care that Berry used when approaching the subject of trauma and PTSD. If you're looking for a fast-paced, sexy read, this one is for you. Be sure to bring the ice!

[Darley Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts On Fire by Christina Berry

For my romantic comedy with substance readers, this book does have a few trigger warnings such as alcoholic parent and PTSD. The author addresses these fully in a warning at the beginning of the book.

There are two things that make me swoon. Adorable cats and a man in a uniform. This book has both! Bonus that the man in uniform is the cat daddy!

Real talk: I have read this story 4 times now. Each time, I am blown away by how drawn I am to the characters. Typically I don’t like instant connection stories but this one was written in a way that the characters shared my hesitation. Chloe has issues thanks to her dad and Drew has issues from growing up in foster care. Watching them give in is just so delicious. And BOHDI! He is the true star. This is definitely a must read in my opinion!

[Devons book corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's just say, a story about a firefighting cat dad, ummm yes please!! This small town romance story is 🔥. When Chloe comes back to her hometown to sell the house her grandmother left her, she meets Drew and his nosey cat. Drew offers to help Chloe fix the house up. Instantly, Drew and Chloe are attracted to one another, but with Chloe planning on leaving again, do they dare try a relationship? Plus, due to something in Chloe's past, she's not sure about Drew and his line of work. I absolutely loved the characters, and the cat, well 😍😍. This hot read has some drama that will make you not want to put it down. You will have a hard time stepping away once you start this book. A wonderful read by Christina Berry.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christina Berry’s latest book, Hearts on Fire, is rife with touching moments and plenty of heart pounding action woven throughout. With completely relatable and dynamic characters, not too mention two too cute cats, this small romance is sure to capture the hearts of any person before the first page is completed and turned.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

[Daphne Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Alarm Swoon!
I am a big fan of Christina Berry and this book is no exception. Drew and Chloe burn up the pages and I laughed out loud several times. I adored Chloe's plucky spirit and her determination to fix up the old farmhouse. I am also a sucker for pets in books, and Bodhi stole the show. A sweet, steamy and enjoyable read!

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway and am glad I did. The cover alone had me sold. This is the first book I’ve read that has a hot Cat Dad as a main character and it lives up to its appeal.

[KristieReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Christina Berry and I loved every single word. She brings humor, heartwarming moments and steam to the pages.

This is a fun and entertaining enemies to lovers story with a little help from an onery cat.

Drew and Chloe don’t hit it off right away…but with a little conversation, renovation activity and lots of amazing banter they begin to give into their attraction.

Looking forward to reading other books by Christina.

[Bek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Adult fiction, romance, Contemporary
Age range: 18+
Trope: HEA, Small-town romance, fire fighter romance

Overall: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 4.5/5
Writing and Setting: 4.5/5

*Content warning:
Depictions: sexual scenes and themes, swearing, arson, fire, flood, some violence, misuse of alcohol and mental health conditions (anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction).
Mentions: negligent parenting/ child neglect, illness/death of family members.

Synopsis:
“The plan was to fix up the farmhouse, sell it, and leave. Then I met Drew.

I’m a stranger in this place. When a car accident nearly killed me, Mom took me away from my father and this small Texas town. Now, I’m back, and while everyone seems to remember the little girl I used to be, no one knows the woman I’ve become. That’s okay. I’m not here to reconnect or fix what’s broken between my father and me. I’m just here to fix the house I inherited, sell it, and go.

Then I meet Bodhi, the three-legged cat who keeps peeing on my porch. And along comes Bodhi’s dad, Drew, the protective firefighter with rough hands, a smooth smile, and such a dirty mouth.

Drew has a reputation for rescuing strays. Is that what I am, another stray for him to rescue? Or this time, maybe I'll be the rescuer.” - Copied from GoodReads

The gist of my review:
‘Hearts on Fire’ is a standalone, binge worthy rom-com that I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I absolutely adored! I must admit, I was a little hesitant with this new direction for Berry, but that’s only because I’ve come to love her ‘Lost in Austin’ series. Drew and Chloe’s story sucked me in from the get go and swept me off on this incredibly hot and dreamy story.

I read this book over the course of a couple of days and was not disappointed by the way the story played out. It is a book with a ‘happily ever after’ ending, just like every other great rom-com, but this book stood tall with it’s very distinct POV’s and the witty/ dorky humour.

As to the actual romance side, I thought the infatuation started off a little too intense a little too quickly, but I can also see why the fast paced nature of the romance is genuine to the two main characters.

Characters: 5/5

Both Chloe and Drew were great characters. They have a very lively and energetic relationship with one another and they both match each other’s love language really well. They are so funny together as a couple and I really enjoyed reading the banter between the two of them. Their chemistry is so incredibly prominent throughout the book and that feeds into their quick-to-bloom relationship but also into the intensity of the steamy scenes.

Also, just a side mention, Bohdi the Cat stole the show and was by far the best character.

Plot and Theme: 4.5/5

The plot itself was very wholesome in a way. I think that with a HEA ending, the plot is always going to be relatively predictable, but in saying that, I also really liked how Berry shaped the ending. The themes of the book were really quiet sweet and it gives the reader that ‘feel good’ kind of warmth to it.

Writing and Setting: 4.5/5

The writing itself was awesome. The structure of the text flowed really nicely and I was able to really submerge into the writing, however, as I mentioned before, I think the book could have used some more drawn out moments while the attraction and chemistry was building between the two MC’s.

In addition, I felt like the steamy scenes were a little rushed in the way that they felt like they were over before they really started. And as a romance novel, I understand that the steamy elements shouldn’t be the entirety of the book, but because this element is something advertised by the author, it will inevitably be something that attracts readers, and I think that some readers will be pining for a little bit more from the scenes themselves.

The settings were mainly surrounding the two MC houses and the local town to remain in context with the plot line, but I like how Berry made Drew venture away from the narrative area as well. It made the narrative feel a little bit more realistic.

Thank you to Christina Berry and the team at Nisha’s Book and Coffee for giving me the opportunity to be an advanced reader of this great story. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback and review.

Cover Photographer: @rafagcatala_13
Cover Model: @oliver_buendia
Graphics by: @nishasbooksandcoffeepr

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cat as a significant secondary character. Firefighter as the leading man. Snark and “dad” jokes. Need I say more???
This was wonderfully sweet, funny, and touching. And there’s a cat!!! A well written cat at that.

[Sacha Fortuné · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacha's Book Reviews Blog

This book came to me via an ARC program, and I chose it because the preview sounded good. Thankfully I was not disappointed!


4.5 stars

The Premise
Upon inheriting her grandmother’s house, Chloe returns to her hometown to fix it up. She plans to sell it and leave — the town holds more bad memories than good — but then she meets her neighbour, firefighter Drew, and his endearingly annoying cat Bodhi. As their connection sails quickly past the pretence of friendship and into something much deeper, the ghost of her past returns to thwart her happiness: her estranged father she hasn’t seen in years. With her truckload of baggage, and Drew’s own issues, can they surmount it all to find a love worth salvaging?

The Pros & Cons
This was an excellent adult romance with lovable characters — especially the cat Bodhi. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with a hot firefighter cat dad and his son, right? The two main characters were enjoyable and fun to read, and each had a much deeper story on their own that I also enjoyed. I appreciated that though this was more or less an “insta-love” situation (usually not my thing), their connection still felt like a gradual build as they opened up to each other to share their damaged parts. These aspects made the story feel grounded in reality — despite falling in love quickly, the romance feels genuine.

The darker moments of violence and abandonment are difficult to read as you get invested with the characters and feel their pain. I also liked the steamy moments; though a few felt a *wee* bit gratuitous, they were all well written and will thrill readers who like it hot! The dialogue — though a bit corny at times! — was also really good, vivid and engaging, and there are laugh-out-loud moments, particularly when the close-knit town get wind of their developing relationship. I liked the town’s supporting characters as well — and then, of course, Bodhi steals the scene every time he stomps in! He was so realistic that I’m pretty sure his muse was hovering over the author as she typed away!

Conclusion
All in all, this was a great book, and I would highly recommend to other adult readers who enjoy a well-rounded romance that isn’t too saccharine-sweet, and still packs a bit of a comedic punch. It was lovely and heartwarming how they (even the cats) all formed a family out of all their abandoned, broken pieces. It was a joyride from beginning to end, and I look forward to more by this author. This was my first book by her, but it definitely won’t be my last.

___________
This review also appears on my blog. Visit to read more of my reviews: Sacha's Book Reviews Blog

Also be sure to check out Sacha's Must Read Recommendations

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[Kelchickbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Christina since reading her first book Up In The Air and this one is my favourite, so far. She gives us a sweet and funny romance that has you swooning over Drew, loving the determination of Chloe and wanting to have Bodhi as your own cat. Was it a by chance meeting just that or was there something or someone working in getting these two together? Christina writes about a sexy, sweet firefighter and a strong-willed woman that is dealing with PTSD and GAD. Can the two of them help each other?

Chloe has been willed her grandmother's house but unfortunately, it needs a lot of work. She is on her own since her mother passed and her father was put in jail for drunk driving when she was younger and caused a serious crash that still affects Chloe to this day. She meets a three-legged cat that seems to like to pee on her porch and break into her house and sleep in her bed. Worried for the cat she gets it a collar. Great idea, right? Well the owner of Bohdi, the cat, thinks otherwise and tells her so. To Chloe's surprise the owner, Drew, returns to apologize for his attitude. He offers to help her around the house when he is not working. Chloe takes him up on his offer but has a hard time with his job firefighting. What happens when he has to go on shift? Can Chloe handle his dangerous job and the effects it is having on her? When there is a visit from a person from her past, who will she handle it? Will she be able to let Drew into her life and tell him what is happening in her head?

Drew has been on his own for a while, being a foster kid, he has learned to survive. He loves being a firefighter and lives the life that he wants. He fusses over Bodhi, the three-legged cat that he rescued a while back. When he meets Chloe, he does not leave the best of impressions with her.. He knows that he has to make it up to her since they are to be neighbours. Well, what he sees is a beautiful woman that is feisty and determined to fix up the house that he thought he was buying from the owner's son. He enjoys helping her fix the place and as this happens sparks start to fly. When things get hot and heavy will he be able to prove to Chloe that his job is safe and he will always come back to her? When danger presents itself, how will they both deal with it?

Throughout this book, there are tender moments as well as a few laughs that has you enjoying it even more. Christina hits it right on the head with this cat dad firefighter story. Who doesn't love insta-love, the hunky firefighter that has a soft spot for cats stories. Christina does a great job of dealing with the difficult subject of PTSD and GAD as well as the therapy that Chloe goes through.
Hearts on Fire is a definite must-read, so grab it on March 24th.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Drew is what firefighter (with cats!) calendars are made of. But for Chloe, back in her small hometown after years away, firefighters are heroes, who saved her as a child. When a persistent three legged cat shows up at her family home that she’s renovating (to resell after her grandmother passed), Chloe soon after meets Drew, the cat’s owner, but their initial encounter isn’t exactly hearts and flowers. It doesn’t take long, though, before this sexy firefighter starts to really catch her attention, and she starts occupying all his thoughts.

This is a really sweet small town romance with some really great spice. It also has a good emotional punch, with Chloe dealing with childhood trauma, PTSD, and anxiety, and when Drew’s job triggers it, it adds an interesting component to their love story. As they navigate how their changing feelings change the way they want and need to approach their lives, Chloe finds herself wondering whether she wants to move on as she intended or stay in this small town where she grew up. There’s definitely some deep, difficult family drama for her, with her father, and the small town gossip mill also comes out in full force, which adds a kind of fun layer to the story as well. But the really great part of this book is Chloe and Drew’s chemistry and how they navigate their budding relationship with communication and maturity. They have a great HEA, and the spice is excellent.

[mood_reading_maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

turns up the heat

Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥/5
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Available on: Kindle Unlimited
.
CATMAN! 😻😻😻😻😻😻
.
Oh Drew. Just like Chloe, I fell for you right away. Abso-fucking-lutely loved this book! After attempting to finish a book I’d previously shelved, and ultimately deciding to cut my losses with a DNF, I felt a bit at a loss about what to read next. I’m so glad I took a chance on this author and book! The writing was swiftly paced, quirky, witty, funny, and heartfelt. It reminded me a lot of Cara McKenna’s early books and writing style - which in my book is a compliment. The banter between these two was 🔥. And the dad jokes! 😂 The fact that these characters didn’t shy away from their trauma and showed vulnerability to each other with love and care says a lot. And this sharing and openness happened WAY earlier in this story that it usually does in others. Let’s be honest, it’s usually the case that lead characters spend 3/4 of a book hiding their feelings, secrets, or pasts, before everything gets neatly wrapped up at the end. In this case, it was lovely to read along as these two fell fast and hard for each other. Loved the small town feels, and how Drew’s cat Bodhi was also a fun and important character 😻 Consent during the spicy scenes - layered on top of dirty talk - was sexy to see.
.
I’m a new fan girl. So sue me.
.
👍🏼 Highly Recommend

[Castalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As my mother would say "I love a man in uniform"🔥🔥🔥🔥

Thank you to @nishasbooksandcoffeepr for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this small town romance with a HOT firefighter MMC and a very relatable FMC. The banter was so good, it literally made me laugh out loud at points. Also, one of the MC's is a CAT! How can you not love a hot man in uniform who is also a cat dad?

You immediately feel the chemistry between Drew and Chole, it sparks off the page. Add that to the banter and its gold, but then you also include very real issues that so many people deal with on a day to day basis and it brings the story home. I absolutely related to Chole's anxiety and worry about things that might not seem to worry others. I have that too. I loved how accepting and understanding Drew is about it all as well. I will say I wanted more of everything, but honestly that is just being needy because I enjoyed this so much.

Overall I truly enjoyed Hearts on Fire. I found this book to be such a fun and fast read giving me exactly what I wanted and needed. Also we get dual POV, which isn't something we see a lot of in Rom-Com's so YAY! And the steam....woo I loved that too. It felt like a slow burn because of the tension but wasn't a slow burn at all.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts on Fire by Christina Berry

**I received a copy of the book from Xpresso Book Tours and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way. **

The author is new too me and Hearts on Fire will not be my last book because I'm anxiously waiting for the next one to come out. I have to say that I hope this will be a series because I'd like to see how the rest of Drew's friends from their HEA with cats of course. Because if any of their pets are like Bodhi they will all have fantastic books to read. You'll laugh out loud with the bond that Bodhi the cat who's owner is handsome and hot firefighter Drew and I had to agree with Inez's comment " I'm a mother of boys I've seen everything" I laughed so hard I cried because she's right.

You'll meet Chloe Krause who has returned back home after her grandmother passes and leaves her the house. But her father has other ideas and will do everything to make sure she doesn't keep "his" house. But Chloe has her own demons to conquer after a car accident as a child almost took her life. But she'll have to conquer her own fears from a childhood accident to fall in love with Drew and his cat Bodhi. When a fire hits too close to home both the cat and firefighter will do whatever it takes to make them a forever family.

[LJT · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

If you enjoy a small town romance with a hot firefighter and a truly inspiring heroine, then Hearts on Fire by Christina Berry is for you. Ms. Berry is a new author for me and I plan on reading more of her book offerings. This is a well-written novel with three main characters; a man, a woman and a three-legged cat that prefers a porch to a litter box.

When Chloe's grandmother passed away, she bequeathed her home to Chloe. The home is quite old, pre-dating the civil war, and since her grandmother's passing has deteriorated quite rapidly. Chloe plans on selling the house once she is done with all the renovations. Then she meets Drew, her neighbor. Drew is a firefighter, paramedic and owner of Bodhi, a cat with a lot of nerve. Chloe and Drew hit it off and fall into lust and love. However, Drew's occupation and Chloe's tragic past are hurdles they need to work through in order to find their happiness together.

I really liked this scorching romance. The balance between plot, heat and angst, was absolutely perfect. Chloe and Drew are a passionate couple and their backstories were quite compelling. I am truly looking forward to the author's next book.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[books.tea.happy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review via @nishasbooksandcoffeepr - Hearts on Fire by @authorchristinaberry - Chloe comes back to the town she was born in the fox and sell the house her grandmother left her. Her neighbor is hot Firefighter Drew who thought he was going to buy the house from Chloe’s dad. Their first meeting is a bit grumpy due to his nosey cat. As way of apology Drew offers to help Chloe with the work on the house. They are attracted to each other from the start, but Chloe isn’t planning on staying so neither of them are sure where this is going. The more time they send together the closer they become and sparks fly between them. I loved Drew’s connection with his cat and how focused he was on his job. He was sweet and hot. Chloe has suffered a traumatic experience when she was young and doesn’t know if she can handle the danger involved with Drew’s job. Chloe at first seemed strong, but it soon becomes clear that she has had so much to deal with and this has left her nervous of getting involved, but I liked that she was also strong and determined. Drew had a difficult childhood and finds it hard to trust people. Their struggles make their HEA all the more heartwarming.