Loved it! The story dug into the emotions around love and loss in relationships as well as what is hidden. The sommets hard reality of partnering with those who do dangerous jobs was evident throughout the book as was the care taken to show the support side for those who lose a partner as they fight a fire. Full of action and anguish and love.

I'm really hoping that this one will be part of a series as I was invested in not only the main characters but the side characters as well! In this one we get Natalie and Cole's story. Natalie is the widow of a firefighter who is just trying to learn how to move on with her life. Cole was her husband's best friend but also friend's with her as well. Right from the start you know that Cole has feeling's for Natalie, more than just a friend. However, he can't get past that she is his best friend's widow. Nor can he get past the guilt he carries for his death. There is more to it that I don't want to say too much about because it is part of the story and I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Natalie is this woman who definitely doesn't have everything together in her life, but this woman has a spine of steel and you can't help but love her. No matter the hardships that are thrown at her, she always picks herself up and figures it out. To me, that is true strength. Not always being put together, and having the perfect life. It's how you compose yourself when it's all falling apart. Do you keep pushing and going forward? Or do you give up? My only issue, and I really think it's just my own mindset, the way some judged them for moving on together. I don't get that at all. It just seems like such a stupid thing for people to get stuck on instead wishing for their happiness after such a tragedy. Otherwise, I was hooked on this one right from the start and couldn't put it down until I finished it. And it definitely left me wanting more!

Flashpoint is a hot romance between a firefighter and a girl he shouldn't want but can't resist!

Natalie lost her father and husband to fire so getting into it with another firefighter is something she is looking to avoid at all costs. Being best friends with her deceased husbands fellow firefighter, Cole means her life is always entangled with the life.

I know little to nothing about the life of a firefighter however this book had lots of good details where I feel like now I do. From the widow's standpoint to the survivors guilt to the long held traditions that get in the way of real life. Their relationship was a tricky one but this book caught and held my attention from start to finish. Looking forward to more from this firehouse and crew!

Cole and Evan are best friends and work together in their fire station. After a back injury leaves Evan addicted to painkillers, Cole warns him to tell his wife Natalie, also Cole's friend. It has started affecting their relationship and Evan's performance on fire calls. But when Evan dies in a fire, Cole suffers with the guilt of not helping him more. He takes care of Natalie through her grief for two years, but when she starts dating again, he can't keep his feelings for her a secret anymore. Natalie also feels a strong attraction to him, but her fear of losing another person she loves has her keeping him at arms length. She can't accept his dangerous career. But being a fireman is everything Cole has ever wanted. Can he seriously give up the career he loves to have the only woman he's ever wanted?
I love the snuggly, comfy feel of this best friends to lovers relationship. Cole is just the perfect, dependable best friend and hunky fireman that all girls dream of having. I look forward to reading about Cole's fireman friends in the rest if this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

When Natalie loses her firefighter husband Evan on the job, his best friend Cole steps up to take care of things around the house for her without being asked. During the two years of doing this, his hidden feelings for her never went away. And his feelings only intensified when he learns that she is going to start dating again. Just when Natalie begins to think that she's ready to move forward, her world is torn apart again with a fire that badly injures her mom and destroys their bakery. Cole once again steps up to help a devastated Natalie and soon their feelings for each other come to light and can no longer stay hidden. With obstacles and people intent on keeping them apart, will they ever find their happy ever after?

Both characters are dealing with guilt - Natalie for having feelings for her husband's best friend and Cole for keeping a secret that he believes could have prevented Evan's death. Natalie is also terrified of once again giving her heart to someone who has a job risking his life. They both feel the world is against them, which causes misunderstandings and a lot of push and pull with each other. Natalie will need to battle her fears head on when she receives heartbreaking news that Cole has been injured on the job. Will she retreat back into her shell and protect her heart or will she prove her love to Cole by not running away? This is the fourth book I've read of Ms. Jordan's and I am delighted that she is starting this new series. Looking forward to reading the next book.

Thank you Netgalley and Author Collective 20 for the opportunity to read this book.

We have got the hot firefighter Cole and the lonely, gorgeous firefighter’s widow Natalie. Cole has been secretly in love with Natalie since before she married his best friend. But she checks off all his “NO-GO” boxes: 1) best friend’s widow and 2) a firefighter’s widow to boot – which is 3) a major “hand’s off” if he wants to move up in the ranks. So, he has been aloofly taking care of her house fix ups while pining for her since her husband died two years ago. Natalie is a hard-working, up and coming baker and just wants to move on with her love life -- without the heartbreak associated with another man’s dangerous job, she is looking for normal.

This is really a slow-burn as they are friends and eventually end up not being able to resist each other. Once they finally get together, it seems everything and everyone is trying to keep them apart as some sort of forbidden relationship. There are some gut-wrenching moments dealing with Natalie’s losses – and they just keep adding up. Along with some nastiness from the firefighter community that just wants her to stay in her lane “as a widow”. The bosses start to threaten retribution against Cole if he crosses the line with Natalie.

Flashpoint is a sweet love story and the two main characters really do fit together well – once they finally get there. This is my first read of Skye Jordan’s and I was really impressed – the writing flow seemed effortless including a wonderfully developed set of characters with their “not so perfect” lives. Looking forward to the next installment from our author Ms. Jordan.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Author Collective 20 for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Natalie has been through so much -- she lost her firefighter husband, Evan, two years ago and another fire has left her mother hurt and in the hospital while their business is destroyed. When Evan died, Cole lost his best friend and firefighter “brother”, and it pained him to see Natalie - the love of his life who was always “off limits” -- grieve while all he could do was stand by and watch. But now Natalie is trying to get her life back together and Cole is tired of standing by… He’s ready to be a part of Natalie’s life, to show her his heart has always been hers and he’s dedicated to putting her first and creating the family they both crave. But with her life so unsettled, Natalie isn’t sure she has the emotional capacity to figure out the deep set feelings and chemistry she has for Cole, especially if it means she could once again lose someone she loves. Both of them will need to put aside their fears if they want to hold onto love and have any chance at the family and HEA they’ve both dreamed of.

Thoughts: Prepare to have your heartstrings pulled taught, dear reader! The grief that Natalie and Cole feel over Evan’s loss is palpable, and Natalie has a well-earned case of PTSD after all she’s been through. There are some really heavy issues that could’ve been delved into a bit deeper -- Cole’s dad, for example -- and I could’ve used a smidge more closure for some of these issues. But that said, this truly is a wonderful love story! The dedication Cole shows to Natalie is so heart-stoppingly beautiful that it makes me feel bad for mere mortal men. I know my husband loves me more than anything in this world, but even he can’t hold a candle to Cole’s commitment to Natalie. It’ll leave readers breathless at times. And Natalie is no slouch, either -- she’s likable, hardworking, caring, and has been through so much that you can’t help but feel empathetic towards her tough situation. The girl needs a break! I know this is all fiction, but I felt better knowing she had Cole to support her. Their chemistry is off the charts, too, and Cole’s firefighter friends are interesting yet realistic secondary characters whose stories I’m looking forward to…

**Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

This is a new series by the author and I am not sure if I love it or not. Its centered with a group of firefighters and the first book features ladies man, Cole and his best friend and fellow firefighters widow, Natalie.

It deals with many things: fire fighting and the dangers, addiction to pain meds, Dementia, 3rd degree burns and the pain of recovery. Its not a light and fun book but it does have a strong romance story and interesting and sweet characters.

In this story its been 2 years since Nat's husband died in a fire and she is ready to move on in her life. Cole has always loved her, even when she was married to his best friend. Since then he has tried to always be there for her.

Nat wants marriage and kids and so she starts dating and thats when it drives Cole to confess his feelings. But Nat is not sure its a good idea because his job is so dangerous and Cole is told he wont get promoted if he dates a firefighters widow and so its a bit of a forbidden love story.

It was well written and I liked the characters. But it was a bit too heavy for my liking. My heart broke for poor Natalie. She loses her husband, is ready to move on when her mom is in a fire and the hits keep coming. It was a bit much for me and I felt pretty bad for her.

I received a free ARC copy of this book from NETGALLERY prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Love a great story with hard abs, determination, stubborn women and HEA! The author blends just enough emotion with the steamy to create a ‘read until my eyes won’t work’ kind of story! This one touched so many real points of the struggles faced by our first responders and those who love them. And made it into a love story that was warm and exciting as well.

This is the first book in the Forged in Fire series.
A firefighter’s widow and his best friend find love while hanging onto a trunk full of guilt.
The hero is annoying. He treats the heroine like a jerk because she’s ready to move on. But he’s not ready to admit his feelings.
It’s a good book but I was annoyed by the hero’s actions and others that tried to keep them apart because she was married to a “brother firefighter”. It just didn’t ring true for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.5 Hearts Whoo Hoo! Skye Jordan put out a new series… Did everyone hear that? A new series! And this one has firefighters! Win/Win!

This is a typical Jordan novel with angst and sex! Cole and Natalie have more history than most. And now life is pushing them toward each other and it is just what they need.

The prologue explaining the death of Evan (Natalie’s husband) was difficult. And the angst and guilt felt by both Natalie and Cole over having feelings for each other is palpable.

As a fan of Jordan I knew I would enjoy the new series and I was right. This is the perfect read for fans of steamy romance. I can’t wait for more from Jordan and her firefighters.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Skye Jordan’s first installment in the Forged in Fire series, Flashpoint is an emotional roller coaster ride from beginning to end. Rife with drama, tension, familial relationship challenge...productive and extremely negative ones...not to mention the firehouse/firefighter drama creates the type of story you just can’t put down.

Throw in the explosive (no pun intended) between Cole and Natalie and the pages couldn’t turn fast enough. The realism and believability was not only limited to the primary characters, the secondary ones added additional depth to the overall success of a well crafted, engaging story.

With this story as the benchmark, I’m looking forward to the remaining installments in the series. With as gifted a storyteller Ms Jordan is, I’m expecting to be blown away with each additional story.

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

My emotions were all over the place with this one. The circumstances that eventually bring Cole and Natalie together are less than ideal but it becomes obvious that they were meant for each other. Too bad life keeps getting in between these two.
I love how dedicated Cole can be to Natalie (once he pulls his head out of his rear) and Natalie is a strong, take-charge woman.
This was definitely my kind of read. 5 stars!!

Full of heart, this one is a great escape read. The characters are wonderful. This friends to lovers romance is emotional and heartwarming. Natalie and Cole have been through a lot. The path to happily ever after isn't easy. It was fun to see these characters develop and grow.
I also fell in love with Logan and Tucker. I'm guessing their stories will be in the next books of the series. I am also rooting for Tina to be one of their happily ever afters. You can't help but become invested in these characters and their community. I can't wait for more!

This was a lovely romance. It had great characters with real life problems. I was hooked right away and couldn’t put it down The story is really enjoyable , just great escapism. This is a first book in a new series and I am really looking forward to reading the next in the series after reading this one as I really didn’t want this to end. If you’re looking for a fantastic story that involves love , family and real bonds, guilt, , community and firefighters this is the book for you.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

What happens when your husband dies and his best friend is one of the sexiest men you have ever seen. Natalie faces this when she sees Cole everyday. But can she risk falling in love with another
Man who has a job that puts him in danger?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I love a good firefighter story, but this one gave me much more than expected. While most are undeniably hot, in both action and bedroom scenes, Flashpoint gives us less action in the field but much more heart.
Natalie and Cole were wonderful, complex characters and I was instantly captivated not just by their relationship but also by the behind the veil look at life within the firefighting community. While members rally around each other in good times and bad, Flashpoint give the reader a look that isn’t always supportive. That part of the book was as fascinating as Cole and Natalie’s journey towards each other.
I’m hoping we see more books featuring the Station 21 family, especially Logan and Tucker!

I loved this book! I was hooked right away, I couldn’t put it down! If you want a fast paced and quick read this one is for you! There was no long drawn out unnecessary drama. This is a first book in a new series. It set up the relationships that I can guess will be the cast of characters for the other books, but it didn’t take away from the story that was being told. Honestly, I didn’t want this book to end! I can’t wait for the next book! I would absolutely recommend this book!

WOW this book is so much more than I expected I picked it up expecting a steamy fire fighter romance and it is so much more It is a testament to the danger firefighters face everyday and the impact on not only them but there entire family and in some cases community. A deeply emotional story this book drew me in from the first to the last page

Cole a firefighter loses his best friend Evan to a fire and Natalie loses her husband Cole swears he will always be there for his friends wife The only thing is in time their connection to one another changes and they start to fall in love but can Natalie risk her heart again to man that may be taken from her like her husband was, This is a deeply emotional story that will have you looking at firefighters in a whole new way.

5+ Stars ... absolutely amazing!

This is a very emotional read ... it isn't all hearts and flowers, although there is a soul deep romance that will have your heart spinning. This book delves into the fact that firefighters put their lives on the line every day at work and they never know if that shift will be their last. It also gives us a glimpse into the lives of their families and the sacrifices they make every day for the person they love. My heart went to all of them. I felt like I was right there ... with them, in the pages. This is one of those books that will stick with me for a while and I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I was captivated from the first chapter and could not put this book down. Cole and Natalie had my heart from the beginning and I so hoped that they could make it work. My heart sobbed for Natalie ... how much more could she withstand in her life? Her father and husband die on the job, as firefighters, and her mother almost lost her life in a fire ... the fire that took their livelihood away. And all Natalie ever really wanted was a family. Then there's Cole, he loved Natalie from the first day he saw her, but Evan got to her first, so he put his feelings aside and cheered his best friend on. After Evan died he was racked with guilt at not being able to save him and felt that if he went after Natalie he would be betraying his best friend. But Cole couldn't deny his feelings anymore when he saw Natalie on a date ... if she was going to be with someone, it was going to be him. He has waited long enough!

I received an early copy courtesy of Author Collective 20 through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.