I normally love second chance romances, but this one left me feeling meh. I felt like Grant’s book was written because it was an expected conclusion to a series rather then the character yelling “hey, I need my story written too!” I’m sad I wasn’t more vested in whether or not Grant and Wren got an HEA. I was just hoping Grant wouldn’t get ditched again before the end of the book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book as much as the rest in the series! Grant Cutter and Wren Everett dated and got quite serious before she disappeared into thin air. When Grant rescues her, they have no choice but to deal with their emotions.
I loved how the characters and situations were so real and yet there was no drama for the sake of drama. When Wren is scared, she talks:) When Grant is worried, he talks to friends. Wow these characters actually communicate!!!
I also loved the background cast of all the other characters and how strong a role they played in the book. Friends play a role in our lives daily whether we see them or not so I love that that was reflected in this book.
The pacing of the book is great as the action obviously takes place over a bit of time and yet the reader doesn't have to read about every go hum day or get whiplash from insta-love. It was actually really interesting to read a book where the characters were dealing with that weird situation of dating someone you've already dated.
Finally, the ending was lovely, though I wish it hadn't come!

ARC received for review

Another great book in this series.

I was unsure about this one, because I thought Wren was shady in the last book. But of course, she had good reason to be. I liked how Ms. Stacey didn't drag it out, but we found out pretty quickly what Wren's reasons were. Grant is just as yummy as all the other guys. I'm thinking this is the last book with the way the epilogue was written, but I could be wrong.

Shannon Stacey’s second-change romance trope begins with a character’s rather illogical stupidity—Wren leaving Grant because she’s afraid of hurting him as an ex hunts her down—is how ‘Flare Up’ begins. The backstory quickly unravels (Stacey doesn’t take too long in expounding this history after Wren walks away) and from there on, the story rolls on without too much angsty rehashing. Past Grant’s heartbreak and the bit where he gets justifiably angry, there’s still the hero-complex that insists on keeping Wren safe despite his better judgement.

For someone who moans that characters seldom talk it through like the adults they are, it’s easy to appreciate that Stacey doesn’t leave the unfinished business between Grant/Wren before the slight suspense and action kick in. I liked that they talked it out and laid all the cards on the table, and if the story’s a bit of a slow start with a lesson learned, who am I to argue?

Still, Grant/Wren’s actual getting back together—along with the time taken to get back their footing—was where it flagged and got staid for me, but maybe that’s because I’m the sort of reader who likes the first-time thrill more than the tentative steps back into vulnerability in a second-chance romance. In fact, I was looking forward to more firefighting action but instead stumbled into pages of Wren’s slow reintroduction to Grant’s circle of friends and their eventual coupledom.

The actual stalker-business sort of does pick up towards the end of the story, but the build is slow nonetheless, which never quite led up to anything more than a whimper of a climax when I’d been expecting a little more bang. In short, it’ll be a slow, pleasant read if you like more romance rather than suspense/firefighting, but sadly, this one turned out to be more of a miss than a hit for me.

I'm totally hooked on firefighters lately, so this was right up my alley :)

The story was sweet with a little heat. Although the premise sounds good, it left a little bit of a bad taste with me. I can understand what motivated the characters, but I can't necessarily agree wiht it and it made it a little far fetched.

This is a hard call for me because I"m a HUGE Shannon Stacey fan and I really love this series.

3.5 stars. I loved the idea of finding out why someone left him and seeing if they could rebuild, only that's not what this felt like, and even the characters address that they're kind of just skipping right back to where they were--even as the hero says five or six times that he doesn't get why she didn't tell him. I didn't see him shift that or build off of that or anything.

But what left me feeling most confused was I never really felt sure what type of book I was reading. It felt like it kept almost being a suspense and so I kept thinking OOOO SS is writing suspense! but it never *really* went there.

And, so, sadly, this is a 3.5 for me. I can't wait for what Ms. Stacey does next as she is a go-to author for me.

Well, apparently this is the month of disappointing series enders. 😩

And for this one in particular, I am TRULY pained to write the review I’m writing.

I really enjoyed the five previous books in the Boston Fire series (the first three I listened to the audiobooks, the last two I read). I loved the humorous banter between the firefighters of Engine 59 and Ladder 37. I loved these manly men who loved their women - but were without the grunting, chest banging, order barking behavior of the stereotypical alpha-male hero. I loved how the author stayed away from the cliche storylines, and instead had realistic stories, with mature people. There was no literary ground being broken by these stories, but they were solid, entertaining books.

So, I was really looking forward to Grant’s story. We met him in the previous book, and at the beginning he was dating Wren and really excited about her, and then we learn she broke things off out of the blue. I love a man who is heartbroken when he loses the love of his life, and doesn’t go all manwhore to get her out of his system!

When Flare Up begins, the men of E59 and L37 have responded to a fire in a run down apartment building. While searching to make sure no one is still in the building, Grant hears a faint noise, busts down a door, and rushes in to rescue...Wren.

First he’s stunned, then he’s angry. But after a day, he decides he wants to see her.

Wren has mixed feelings about seeing Grant again. She left Grant because of her dangerous ex-boyfriend, not because she didn’t love him. So she’s glad to see him, but knows she hurt him badly. When Grant shows up where she’s staying (at his friend’s apartment), Wren is apologetic, but still reluctant to tell Grant why she left. When she finally does tell him, he tells her how stupid her reason was. And quite frankly, I agreed with him. If anyone has the resources to keep you - or your friends safe - it’s a firefighter.

Anyway, after their reunion, all is forgiven pretty easily and they decide to get back together. After that, not much really happens other than they both go to work, and Wren spends all her time looking over her shoulder for her ex. Where the strength of the previous books was that the stories were people living their lives (without ridiculous situations and over-the-top angst), for some reason it didn’t work this time.

Maybe it was because this story tried to be suspenseful, but ended up feeling flat. There were things I thought were clues - a man in a hallway, a man standing by the road - that ended up being random details that never tied back to the story. They never went anywhere and were never mentioned again. These aren’t exactly plot holes, but were loose ends for this reader who likes everything tied up nice and neat. Also, the resolution with the bad guy happened off page, then they lived happily ever after. All their problems and issues solved.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad book. Just not what I was looking forward to reading. As in the previous books, the banter between the guys is humorous and plentiful. But it departed from the previous books where the characters were mature, and talked through their feelings/issues. Even some of the “humor” was more slapstick and silly instead of clever (making jokes about eating bad seafood and the issues that supposedly caused??? Are these men adults, or are they 4th graders?).

And finally (while I’m on a roll listing all my grievances about this book), the bad guy’s name is Ben. That’s right...Ben and Wren. Really??? Does that not make anyone else’s eyes roll??? Could the author NOT come up with a name that didn’t rhyme with the heroine’s?!

I really, REALLY feel bad that I didn’t like this book. I even contemplated not posting this review until there were a bunch more already published - because I truly hate that this may knock down the book’s rating (even if only temporarily). But at the end of the day, I’ve agreed to post an honest review. And the honest truth is that Flare Up hardly sparked an ember for me.

* thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Carina Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

The last thing Grant Cutter expected when his crew is called out to an apartment house fire, is to run into his ex, Wren Everett, who basically ghosted on him five months ago. On the verge of proposing, Wren's sudden disappearance without any explanation given, really gutted him. So, he's not exactly sure how to feel when he sees her again. All he knows is Wren needs his help, and he still cares enough about her to offer it. But can they get over the hurt her leaving caused to try and build together that life left behind?

Five months ago, when Wren Everett's buried past seemed to catch up with her, the only thing she could think to do, to keep everyone she loved safe - including Grant - was run. Being totally in love with Grant, Wren couldn't run far, and when he rescues her from a fire in her apartment building, she's brought to the realization how much she's missed him and wants to start over. But the issues in her past are still seemingly unresolved. With all the hurts between them still fresh, can Grant and Wren even start over?

I think it's kind of essential to have read Under Control, the previous book in the series, prior to starting this one because that book, secondarily, gives readers the starting conflict between Wren and Grant. You could definitely pick up this book not having read the previous and enjoy it just fine, but I think there's something said for getting the background and seeing where Grant is coming from when Wren leaves him without a trace.

With that in mind, however, I really liked how the contemplation in Grant and Wren's relationship. I mean, seriously, how do you move forward with someone when you discover they kept a huge, and life-altering, piece of their past from you? Further more, the idea that somewhere in Wren's mind she didn't feel like she could come to Grant with the problem that he would be able to help her solve it, so she ran. It's not exactly that she thought him incapable of offering help, it's the knee-jerk reaction of her past finding her in her present. The Pavlovian signal in her brain just telling her to leave quickly or the consequences will be the same as before.

I thought it was interesting to see this couple work through these issues, and essentially, grow and move forward almost like starting a new relationship. It was interesting to see how Grant and Wren really fit together. In the previous book, you don't see them with that one-on-one time they get when they become the central focus in their own story. So to see them together, you know that they really feel right together.

If nothing else, this series has really been about families and the interconnectedness between the families we're born into and those you make for yourself. There's a lot of people looking out for Grant, that don't want to see history repeat itself in regards to his relationship with Wren. But I really liked that, even though the majority of these people are Grant's friends first, they weren't combative or dismissive with Wren's side of the story. You could see how the hurt of Wren leaving went beyond just Grant's feelings, it effected various people around her, showing her how important she is and how much of an impact she has. It's something that Wren hasn't felt for a very long time, stemming from the issue in her past.

It all circles around to the fact that Flare Up really wraps up the series. We see each pair from previous books make some kind of connection or appearance in Grant and Wren's story. Grant was the last hold out from Engine 59 / Ladder 37 in regards to finding his Happily Ever After. Now that everyone's settled it's time to close shop. It's been an enjoyable time. Can't wait to see what's next.

I've received a ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Novel was a little longer than what I thought it should've been. Felt like the story dragged on. Unfortunately I felt no connection to the content not characters. 'Meh' storyline that I just couldn't resonate with. Sadly this just wasn't my cup of tea.

This one was not my favorite, this is the 6th book in the Boston fire series and it's Grant and Wren book! Grant is a firefighter at Boston fire engine 59, Wren is running from a crazy ex! They were dating and all of a sudden Wren skips town! Grant gets called to a fire right in the beginning of the book, it's in a really run down building and lo and behold! He finds Wren in the building! This happens as I said right away well Grant wants to protect her and they start back in the relationship immediately! No build up nothing?! Grant was gonna ask her to marry him and she leaves him then the first time he sees her like the next chapter almost they're sleeping together again?! I'm it was just to rushed i guess? Like I said it wasn't my favorite of the series. Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Readers finally get Grant and Wren's story. The last in the series left off with Wren breaking up with Grant and disappearing from his life. This book, Flare Up, opens with Grant saving Wren from an apartment fire. Grant is shocked that Wren is still living in the area and wants answers as to why she broke up with him.

Heat soon flares again between this adorable couple, but can Grant trust Wren not to leave him again. Read this romance to find out!

4* What a refreshing change for a guy to not be a so-called alpha, but just a decent, everyday guy who loves his woman.

This is my first book by this author and now I'm off to track down more. I don't tend to read much MF romance these days, but the blurb intrigued me, as we get to see how the male lead is feeling, rather than the more expected how the female lead is feeling. I thought that was refreshing, and am pleased to say that the book lived up to my expectations.

It does pretty much follow the blurb, but what made this, and stayed just on the right side of being nicely done without being overblown, was that this book had warmth and believability, and not some huge, fake-feeling plot just to create a story around it. I liked the leads, the reason behind Wren leaving Grant was flawed but plausible, and the way the tale panned out worked fine. The baddie kind of felt like a baddie, but a real life one, rather than a bigged-up, too bad to be true one, and how he got dealt with worked, too.

I really liked how Grant was a guy who talked to his friends about his feelings, and to Wren, too, though for much of the tale he was unsure of how she might react and how she might be feeling, to be too open with her. For me, given their past, it felt reasonable. He didn't go all caveman and start beating his chest - believe me, there are far too many so-called alpha male leads out there who do just that, and the visual makes the mind boggle, but instead tried to understand Wren and do his best not to influence her or push her into a decision.

The tale ends in my kind of HEA and though I've not read the rest in the series, it kind of sounds as if this is the last and a sort of full circle has been reached. I am off to find the rest, and will be looking out for this author in future.

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

Great story which draws you with the first 911 call!. Grant is the sexy fireman on a call and must rescue a woman who left him heartbroken only a few short months ago. Wren has a past that was catching up to her and she couldn't allow Grant to fall into the grasp of her crazed ex just as her brother did.

After the fire destroys everything, Wren has no choice but to rely on Grant and all his friends. Knowing they are upset with how she left things with Grant, Wren is more than uncomfortable with the new arrangement.

With old emotions flaring up, it's obvious that both Wren and Grant aren't over one another. With the past still threatening they must resolve to work together rather than against one another to win this fight.

Thanks NetGalley and Carina Press for an advanced copy of this book!

This is a 2nd chance for love story that was done really well. It has some really good suspense and is part of series though I only really one previous book in the series.

Grant is a firefighter who is broken hearted. His girlfriend Wren dumped him just as he was about to propose. One day on a call, he saves Wren who is living in a crappy apartment. Discovering that that he realises all the bull she gave him when they broke up was crap. He decides to help her stay in town and be her friend.

Wren loves Grant but she has a crazy ex and she was trying to protect Grant. When the truth comes out, Grant and his friends are 10% in her corner and that is what I loved about this story. It is about friends and family that stand with you. Its a wonderful story about true friendship and a deep love that nothing can kill.

Grant sometimes questions his woman's decisions, “why are you wearing a Giants sweatshirt ? With rhinestones on it, for chrissake. Footballs don’t have bling. Even in New York.” Grant puts up some great arguements, “my head is fine. It’s my ***k that aches right now.” He shrugged. “Plus, *** releases endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers.” I liked this book, I loved Grant.