Former marine and seasoned firefighter Troy Barnes has always kept his sex life on the down low, until he takes back-to-back hits: physically injured in a suspicious warehouse explosion and emotionally blindsided when he’s ditched by his boyfriend. When a flirty young paramedic offers him a place to crash, Troy’s not so willing to give in. He’s never needed help before. But if anyone can break through his tough-guy act, it’s Alex Tate. Alex has crushed on Troy since the minute he saw him. Now here he is, stripped of his turnout gear and recuperating in Alex’s bed. The tattooed hero may be a fantasy-come-true, but Alex wants more than rebound sex—and he’s not sure Troy’s ex is gone or forgotten. As each night brings them closer together, Troy realizes there’s more to Alex than he’d ever imagined. And with an arsonist loose in Manhattan, neither he nor Alex realizes just how combustible things are going to get.
The book was good. I liked both main characters as they went through the story. I enjoyed the plot and the book flowed well. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

4 Stars!


Firefighter Troy Barnes is injured in the line of duty during an explosion at a warehouse and when he gets home, he is blindsided when his roommate with benefits is giving him 5 days to find a new place to live because he's moving his pregnant girlfriend into their apartment. EMT Alex Tate invites Troy to move to his place and even if Alex doesn't do guys on the rebound, it doesn't take long for them to give into their attraction.

I found Troy adorable and I truly wanted to kick his ex's ass for how he treated Troy. Really, the guy was a jerk. Troy was sweet, kind, friendly and just wanted to do right by Alex. While I liked Alex, there were a few instances in which I wanted to shake him and make him see what was right in front of him. Together, Troy and Alex were explosive and had amazing chemistry and rapport. It was great seeing them go from semi-friends to lovers so seamlessly.

The secondary plotline with the fires and explosions were interesting, although the bad guy, or at least one of them, was a bit predictable.

This is my first book by A.R. Barley and it certainly won't be the last. The book was intriguing and entertaining and I'm looking forward to more in this series. While I'm aware this is an ARC, there were some editing issues that sort of pulled me from the story and I hope were solved in the final copy. Recommendable!

*** Copy provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

First I have to admit that this book is way out of my comfort zone, but that being said, I think it is a well written story with strong characters. The character interaction is real life and heartfelt. The plot is believable and attention getting.

3.5 stars

I had requested this book early on, on Netgalley. I’m just getting around to reading it. I have to admit this book was a slow burn for me. It took me a while to really get into it and just overall get into Troy’s character.

The beginning was exciting. Troy was a super hero! The way he saved Sammy’s life was pretty heroic!
But even though it started off pretty exciting. It was still kinda slow for me. It didn’t pick up until the 41% mark. The kiss!

That’s when things started to get moving for me. I really liked seeing a different side of Troy. He was slowly coming out of his shell. Alex played a big part in that. Alex also too made Troy see what kind of relationship he had Ian. How messed up it was! I felt so bad for Troy!

My biggest pet peeve in this book was how Troy was so willing to move past what Ian had did to him and become friends again! How he just let Ian come up to him and talk to like nothing at the bar scene. I hated that! I also hated their friendship throughout the book. That’s why I couldn’t rate this book any higher. Ian did the unimaginable to Troy. That’s something you just can’t get over like nothing. And that’s how it was treated.

I like the relationship between Alex and Troy. I loved how Alex Family was so in your face with them. There was no secrets in Alex’s Family!

This was a good start to this series. I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series.

I think this is going to be an interesting series. If I had one complaint, it would be that there wasn't enough and parts seemed a little rushed, but that's minor.

I'm a fan of all things M/M for the most part, but military guys coming back to civilian life is one of my favorites. Troy's new job as a firefighter is only a little bit less dangerous. It turns even more so when someone seems to be targeting firefighters and putting them in even more dangerous situations. Then, it gets even worse.

I loved Alex and there was a lot more to him than even readers realized as they - and Troy - got to know him better. He was good at his job and great with people in general. Getting close to Troy wasn't easy though. Given the fact that he was most definitely on the rebound, Alex really didn't want to rush him.

Speaking of Troy's ex... how in the heck did they end up together anyway? I mean, really? Troy deserved so much better than he got from him and Troy finally realized it, but Alex wasn't so sure. He also didn't want to take a chance with his heart. Rebound or not, these two were obviously meant for each other.

I liked the progression of the story and there were a few supporting characters that I hope readers get to spend more time with. There were some tough issues handled that made me respect Alex and Troy even more. Needless to say, I can't wait for the next book in the series, Broken Protocol.

I received On Duty in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was really, really good! It had so many things that I love. Firefighters, paramedics, a funny family, some denial, the right opportunity, a dangerous setting and the chance for one MC to constantly take care of the other MC’s boo-boos!

Troy and Alex are a great couple and their romance felt really natural and proceeded in a way that felt appropriate. They had wonderful chemistry and the other “story” about the arsonist was involving without being overwhelming.

I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to more in this series!

5 of 5 stars

Wonderful descriptions and great characters. I was sucked in from the very first page. Alex and Troy are the perfect foil for each other, both lovable and damaged in different ways. I adored Alex's niece, and I loved that even then "bad guys" weren't caricatures of evil, but just regular people who got sucked into a crappy situation they didn't know how to get out of (and chose REALLY, REALLY badly). This was a brand new author to me, but one that is definitely going on my shortlist.

A great start to a new series!

I've read a few other books by A. R. Barley and enjoyed most of them very much. I love stories about first-responders whether they are M/M or M/F ones. On Duty is a great book and I devoured it.

This story starts off with a heart-stopping scene where firefighter Troy is caught in a burning building trying to rescue a young teen. Wow, what a way to get your heart pumping and the story rolling. The next thing you know he's checked himself out of the hospital AMA (against medical advice) and his roommate/lover/friend(?) kicks him out of their apartment.

Paramedic Alex steps in and gives Troy a place to stay. He's had a crush on Troy since they first met and he's pretty sure it's not a good idea have Troy stay with him but he can't leave him homeless.

I love that there was a fairly slow buildup to the sexy time between Troy and Alex; they took time to get to know each other first. I also liked how Troy's initial perception of Alex proved to be wrong. Once the sexy time starts happening – watch out! 😊

There is also a mystery component to the book. Who is setting the fires that threaten the life of the first-responders?

Like most of my favorite stories, this one engaged all of my emotions and I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

On Duty by author A.R. Barley is the first book in the Smoke & Bullets series. I liked this one for a first book, to me had some problems with just overall speed of the book. But I think that will iron itself out as the series progresses. Lots of first books feel like this one did to me but later find a better footing.
Troy is a fighter. He just got through battling a horrible fire when his in the closet roommate/ sometimes booty call/ lover kicks him out. Cause you know now he is suddenly straight and wants to marry his girlfriend. Troy has no idea where he is supposed to go. Lucky for him he has a good friend who will help.
Alex is a paramedic with a huge heart. He has had a crush on Troy for a long time. He has a spare place to sleep and wants to help Troy.
Can a friendship develop into more? In this case yes. I did find myself suspending belief in a few places but overall this is a cute love story with a sweet ending I loved. I would be looking for much more from this series in the future.


Five Shooting Stars

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.•.•*) .•*)
(.• (.•`*4.5 smoke-n-bullets stars.

I hate when I have a good book in my pile and then completely forget about it until too late. Then you miss your review date and now have to publically apologize ...humbly... to your enabler - er - book lending team.

Why did I not read this book the instant it hit my Kindle? I cannot tell you. But oh, man, I wished I had cracked it open then and savored the joy I found inside. I love men in uniform and throw in a little mystery...Done. In.

On Duty was like that gift that kept on giving. It was entertaining; it was what was needed to make my night. I absolutely fell for Alex who "didn't do long-term relationships and didn't do fresh from a breakup." And Troy, oh my gawd, the man was sexy as hell and prone to becoming a walking hero in need of rescues.

The first page drew me in and kept me glued. As a firefighter and an ex-Marine officer who left no man behind, Troy got the crushing news that he was being outed, literally, from the only home he had known in over twelve years. His so called roommate to all was actually his lover, a man who was selfish and had no problem kicking a man when he was down.

Every action led to Alex, an almost doctor who had disaster happen to prevent his goal. Alex found joy in helping people and becoming a paramedic helped with that need. With his life finally getting back on track, Alex was a flirt. But he promised himself to never, ever get involved on the rebound. Unfortunately, he could barely leave his major crush to suffer. Bringing Troy on as HIS roommate should have been easy, but fate never played that game. There was instattraction, even though both tried to ignore it.

I just could not get enough. With a firestarter and the mystery of it all, the guys needed answers as to why their city was going up in smoke along with their so called friendship. When the mystery of the fires got to close to home, would Alex and Troy survive in order to define what was hapening between them?

Troy has one thing happen after another. When a really bad situation turns good thanks to a new roommate, he tries to settle into a new routine. If he finds his friend attractive, does that make him a bad person?


Alex was interested in Troy from the moment he saw him. Getting him moved in was just a bonus. He is hoping they can both overcome the past, and make a bright future together.


This book was really such a bright spot. I was pleased the characters had such a banter, that they came across as a couple right away. The main hero was just fun to read. I loved the humor and the real pieces to the story that made it fit just right. This author is always a go to purchase, and this was this author's best work yet!



***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publisher in exchange for an honest review only.

3.5 stars

Synopsis: Troy is a fireman. He lives with his best friend/hook up in a one bedroom apartment, and keeps his sexuality really quiet. One night, after a newsworthy rescue from a burning building that injured him, Troy gets home to his apartment to find out that his roommate has been sleeping with a woman for a few months, and that she is pregnant. And he has five days to find new accommodations before said woman moves in, because no one can know that Troy and the roommate, Ian, are sleeping together.
Alex is a paramedic for the same fire house that Troy works for. When he comes back from his shift to find Troy sleeping on a sofa that Alex brought in and finds out that the roommate kicked him out, Alex offers Troy room in his apartment. Alex doesn't have two bedrooms, but he buys another bed, and when Troy realizes that rent is out of his reach salary-wise, he agrees to room with Alex.
Troy and Alex get to know one another, becoming friends. Troy still has to deal with his ex (even if he doesn't qualify Ian as that), because Ian is a cop, and then he has to deal with the fact that he doesn't want to keep his sexuality quiet anymore. The firehouse also has to deal with the fact that it seems as though fires are being set deliberately, and targeting Troy's shift.

What I liked: Troy and Alex. They actually talked to each other and got to know one another, and even before Troy started to live with Alex, he had conversations with him. Troy was also concerned for the boy that he rescued from the first fire and kept checking up on him. Troy wants to include Alex with his group of friends, so he invites him whenever he goes out with the guys.
The friendship that develops between Alex and Troy, and the friendships that already exist between Troy and his fellow firefighters are interesting and natural. Even Troy's feelings toward Ian seems authentic, especially since they were friends long before they ever became intimate.
The surrounding characters, including Alex's family were interesting and colourful, without taking focus away from Troy and Alex.

What I didn't like: the mystery aspect of the story felt a little bit like it was tacked on, and since the end of the story relied heavily on it, it should have been more developed throughout the story.

Overall impression: Told in 3rd person POV, alternating between Troy and Alex. I *really* didn't know what to expect with this one, since there is no précis, but this is well written with characters that are nice to get to know. I enjoyed getting to know Troy and Alex as they worked their way from friendship to romance in a fairly organic way, and will definitely read the next in the series, and plan to check out the author's backlist.

I received an ARC from Netgalley.

4.5 Stars This is the first book I have read by A.R. Barley and I hope to read many more.
On Duty is full of action, romance and a twist of mystery. Troy and Alex have great chemistry and with dynamic characters and fabulous interaction this is one I will be recommending to readers

This was a really fun story between a firefighter and a paramedic. I went into it blind considering there's no cover or description, but I was pleasantly surprised!

This one was just okay for me. Characters seems one dimensional and it was hard for me to feel anything for them/toward them. I was underwhelmed to say the least.

3.5* A tale with decent leads with decent professions, with a hint of an interesting past for Troy, but with a few too many cooks and not quite enough made of each aspect.

I read this tale blurb-blind, which I think is my preferred reading method these days, especially when it's authors whose style I'm familiar with, so that I can get the biggest impact. This wasn't ARB's best tale, but it's also not a bad one, despite there not being much of a tale under all the getting-to-know-each-other and the many characters who were introduced.

At the start, I hadn't realised that it was the first in a new series, but it is, and I will be reading the next. The leads know each other, as one, Troy, is a firefighter and the other, Alex, is a paramedic, and they end up rooming together when Troy's cop lover tells him that he's been secretly cheating, dating a woman and is about to become a father, and to be out of their apartment in 5 days.

That's the tale, but the ex still plays a part, as he's involved in the investigations into suspicious fires, and, he wants Troy as his bit on the side. But, the investigation seemed a secondary part to the plot, as suspicions seemed delayed and didn't make themselves seen or felt, really, until a young teen/preteen opened his mouth.

I liked this young kid, Sammy, who knew he was trans and had run away from home, but, the proportion of his involvement in the tale wasn't right; there wasn't the right balance, though we began to see more of him as the tale progressed. I for one want to read more about him, so I hope he appears as a side character in future tales and that we see his continuing transition. It'll be interesting to see how the author handles it, as he's in care and at an age where puberty-suppressing treatment could be offered, allowing him a less difficult journey to becoming the man that he knows he will one day be. I hope it's tackled well, with respect and realism. I liked, too, that the family who appears to have taken him in seems decent, open-minded and very accepting and loving.

As to the tale and the leads? The balance wasn't right and the baddie wasn't believable, though, from the mention of a name pretty close to the start, I had my suspicions that he was more than simply a character in a cast, but not a memorable one or a really interesting one. There wasn't a ton of sex in this, and there wasn't a lot of tale or time that the leads had together, and I'm not sure that I believed in their 'you're it for me'. At the start, Alex proclaimed not to want anything with Troy until Troy had had at least 2 more lovers/encounters, and Troy was days out of a non-relationship.

Still, it wasn't too bad a read, but I really wish a competent editor had taken a look at this, as ARB's debut was great.

ARC courtesy of Carina Publishing and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

Absolutely loved the heat and chemistry between Alex and Troy. Here's to wishing A.R. Barley will make this a series and feature Luke's character next,

This is the first book I've read by this author and won't be the last. So looking for more books by this author. This is a great story with hugely likeable characters who don't mess around but gets straight to the plot which is something I like and would recommend. Easy to read with the right amount of sexy thrown in to keep you reading all the way till the end. Would recommend

I loved this book by A.R Barley. I have not had the opportunity to read much, but what I have read I am absolutely impressed with.

On Duty is a book about Troy and Alex, a fireman and an EMT. Troy has recently been burned by his boyfriend who never really acknowledged him, and Alex, well...Alex is just all kinds of sweet, smart, funny and the perfect person to take care of Troy when he is in need.

Their relationship stars out as friendship, then quickly turns into more. I loved these two together, I loved the freedom Troy had once he was free from the confines of the relationship that did not let him be who he really was. And Alex...so much love in that kid's heart!!!