Chasing Fire - May 2020 Book of the Month

[Jonetta]

Little else in life is as dangerous as fire jumping. Flying past towering pillars of smoke, parachuting down to the edge of an all-consuming blaze, shoveling and sawing for hours upon hours, days at a time, all to hold the line and push back against the raw power of Mother Nature.

But there's also little else as thrilling - at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are one of the most exclusive fire-fighting squads in the nation, and the job is in Rowan's blood: her father is a legend in the field. She's been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home - even with reminders of the partner she lost last season still lingering in the air.

Fortunately, this year's rookie crop is among the strongest ever - and Gulliver Curry's one of the best. He's also a walking contradiction, a hotshot firefighter with a big vocabulary and a winter job at a kid's arcade. He came to Missoula to follow in the footsteps of Lucas "Iron Man" Tripp, yet he's instantly more fascinated by his hero's daughter. Rowan, as a rule, doesn't hook up with other smoke jumpers, but Gull is convinced he can change her mind. And damn if he doesn't make a good case to be an exception to the rule.

Everything is thrown off balance, though, when a dark presence lashes out against Rowan, looking to blame someone for last year's tragedy. Rowan knows she can't complicate things with Gull - any distractions in the air or on the ground could be lethal. But if she doesn't find someone she can lean on when the heat gets intense, her life may go down in flames.

[Barbara "Cookie"]

I love this book. I will be using the audio this time

[Robin]

I haven't read this one yet, so I'm in!

[Celine]

Count me in!

[Agnieszka]

I love this book very much and read it already twice. Since my local library is closed I have to decide soon if I'll get the german edition from the online library or if I'm willing to buy this book for myself.
I'm looking forward to re-read it again and the discussion.

[Karen ♐]

I loved this book too!

[Leane]

Just finished this one. I really enjoyed the setting (fire jumping), I like that the romance wasn't too much and that the murderer made sense.

[Robin]

I finished this one over the weekend. I liked it but didn't love it. The character of Rowan reminded me very much of Eve Dallas from the In Death books. It was her attitude, the way she worked with her team, and her way of speaking in short sentences. Gulliver was a great book boyfriend.

I liked the story, though I figured out who was sabotaging the camp by the middle of the book. There was also a little too much fire jumping scenes for me. But at least it was a unique premise.

[Talya]

Gull is one of my fave Nora "Beta" males. He lets Rowan take the lead, but he's not a pushover.

[Jennifer]

If I’m being honest this is not one of my favorite NR books. I’m glad I read it. The story was interesting- Fire jumping is not something I ever thought about let alone know anything about. But for me the main heroine, Rowan was.... just not for me. I like that she was no-nonsense but could joke around with her team. While not being top dog she could take charge while showing the attributes a leader needs to succeed. But her personality I guess for lack of a better word. You literally fight fires and you’re going to throw a fit because your father hugged a woman?
Did- did you just stomp your foot?
You’re a grown woman that demands respect so why am I having to babysit a petulant child? Harsh, maybe but some parts were rough.
Pretty good NR book but not a great heroine.
In my opinion.

[Jonetta]

It’s been a long time since I read this one but do remember thinking Rowan was on the immature side.