Falling Embers (Tattered & Torn, #2)

by Catherine Cowles

I need you to slow your breathing, okay? You’re going to pass out.” He would know the facts about that. While my two older brothers had gone to college, Calder had only had eyes for the fire department. He’d done both fire school and EMT training but opted to focus on being a firefighter.

The first kernel of an idea for Falling Embers came from a reader who begged me to write "a single dad firefighter with twins." So, I did just that. (Thanks for the idea, Ally!) And I gave him an EMT heroine who has always been in love with her brother's best friend. Having the two of them not only live in the same small town but also work at the same fire station made for lots fun, explosive scenes.

If something happened to Hadley, I’d never be the same. And I would’ve wasted precious time pushing her away.

Even though Calder and Hadley have been friends for decades it takes quite a few years for Calder to come to terns with fact that he just might have feelings for his best friend's little sister. And when finds out that she's in danger, he'll do anything he can to keep her safe...

Because I’d been half in love with Calder Cruz from the moment he’d taught me to chase the stars.

A friends to lovers story is one of my very to read and write. There's just something about pining for the person you aren't supposed to want that ticks all the boxes for me. What about you? Any favorite tropes?