A story with flawed yet relatable characters. The author has spun a story whose characters reach out to your heart in their past trials and their attempts, some easier than others, at recovery and moving forward. There are moments of heartbreak, but to counteract those are moments of joy and fulfillment.

As the first story in this series, it has set the standard of the writing that can be expected going forward.

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

Lucas Bennett was a traumatized firefighter who had lost his best friend fighting a fire. He was consumed with guilt and began to take risks that endangered his fellow firefighters so he was given a 60 day suspension and orders to see a shrink to get his head back in the game or he wouldn't be allowed to continue as a firefighter. He works as an EMT for the fire department during his suspension but he was anxious to get back on the fire line.

Sarah Robinson was a single mother who had lost her husband in a fire. She felt very alone and missed her husband, Alex, very much. In order to get away from the place that had caused her so much pain, she moved to Oak Grove. She needed a fresh start away from her family and the memories. She never expected to be able to find love again. But, when she was injured in a car accident, and Lucas was the EMT that helped her, she began to feel things she never thought she would be able to feel again. But, she had no idea that Lucas was a firefighter. Would that be a deal breaker for her? Would she be willing to risk her heart again for someone who worked in such a dangerous profession?

I really enjoyed this story very much. My one big complaint and dislike of the book was the very descriptive sex scenes. I don't need to read every single description about the couple's intimacy. For that reason, I would have a hard time recommending the book to my friends even if the story was very good.

I was given an ARC by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The great thing about NetGalley is FREE BOOKS! All I have to do is give my honest opinion, which hey, as a mother, I'm glad to be giving my opinion to someone who actually wants to hear it. I've read some really great books because of NetGalley.

But I've also read some not-so-great books, too. Because the downside to NetGalley is that you don't get a couple preview chapters before you request a book. All you have to go on is the book summary, and I thought the premise of One Last Risk sounded really good. Which is why I kept reading the book, despite the author succumbing to the annoying current writing trend of repeating the same thing over and over and over. (I give her credit, at least, for it not being repetitive about how hot the hero is!)

Lucas is a firefighter who lost a friend recently during a fire. He blames himself for his friend's death, and after watching how devastated his friend's wife was, he's decided to never get involved with anyone so as not to risk causing anyone else that kind of pain. (Kind of makes sense, right?!)

Sarah is a widowed, single mother to a four-year-old daughter. She lost her husband two years ago, and has moved to the town of Oak Grove to make a fresh start.

When Lucas and Sarah meet in the local coffee shop, they both feel sparks, but are both immediately conflicted.

And then we spend the next 60 percent of the book hearing how conflicted they both are. They are both interested in each other, but remind themselves constantly that they shouldn't be with the other person. One part of the paragraph they'd be all "I want to see where this relationship will go" and then the next part be all "but I know I really shouldn't." They vacillated back and forth so quickly it's amazing no one needed to be treated for whiplash...

But then the most amazing thing happened at about 70 percent. The book got really good! The writing became stronger and more concise, and I actually became interested in finding out what would come next, and how Lucas and Sarah's story would end. There was some realistic conflict which added much needed substance to the story, and I began to care for the hero and heroine. Furthermore, I'm now interested in reading the next two books in the series. The next book, One Last Dance, is out now, with the third book, One Last Chance, scheduled for release in July.

I almost quit on One Last Risk, but I'm glad I didn't! I think the writing had some issues (repetitive phrasing such as referring to fire as "the beast" multiple times, the characters having the same internal dialogue over and over, some awkward dialogue between the characters), but the last part of this book gives me hope the author can write a tighter story in the books to come. I am a big fan of the small town romance series genre, so I have hopes this series will provide me with many hours of reading pleasure. I'll keep you all posted!

*thank you to Anderby Lane Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This review is also published at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews.

This was a really sweet read i just loved Lucas and Sarah they were fantastic characters and you cannot help but love them.A super read well written perfect for a lazy weekend looking forward to the next book.

Loved it

This is an intense beginning. And why the hell is he alone?

I'm not sure Lily's old enough to get the purpose of a fire drill.

Why did she pick this particular town?

Oh, so I guess her husband wasn't a firefighter.

Nothing like a good daydream to calm you down.

Tell her you're also a firefighter!

Now I want a chocolate cupcake.

You could get hit by a bus tomorrow, Lucas. Live a little.

Old habits die hard, especially when you don't want them to die.

She yells a lot for someone with a sleeping kid in the house.

Damn, is Rachel in an abusive relationship?

She just leaves her front door open?

Haha, his ma has great taste in aprons!

What, he's not allowed to have female friends without her thinking he's cheating? Is she that insecure?

Damnit, that poor family!

At least she admitted she overreacted right away.

At an accident site? Really?