I jumped into this new spin-off series out of order but loved every single second of the story! The characters are fleshed out nicely and their emotional growth happens at an exhilarating pace. Fun storytelling, compelling characters both main and secondary and seriously sexy pining that leads to super hot sex scenes that properly progress the story. Well done, will read more by the author and in the series.

Featured on Book+Main blog as a romance recommendation. LInk to post below.

This book is everything I needed right now. I've read it in 24 hours, my favourite thing about this book is the fake-marriage trope, in fact I love this trope in general. In my opinion the characters felt pretty real and dealt with issues that some people can feel identified with. Isla is such a force of nature and I admire her determination to make her dreams come true. On the other hand, Adam is a really nice guy that would do anything for Isla but also carried some feelings hard to deal with given what he went through. Another aspect that I enjoyed about the story is the baking aspect and the setting of a small town. If you are looking for a romance novel and love the fake relationship trope this has to be your next read.

I love this author, I've read most of her books and I really enjoy this one too.
Ilsa needs to find her place in life after leaving the army and suffering an awful marrige. Now she is a baker and can use all the help she can get.
Adam is a firefighter now, but used to be under Isla's command in the force. When they see each other again, they realize that they have a lot in common and develop a strong friendship.
But when the opportunity to live in the same city present itself, they decided to marry in order to help each other's dreams.
Soon feelings are going to get involved and both will learn a lesson about love and commitment.
It's a slow burn romance most of the book but a beautiful journey all the same. It's sweet and romantic, with deep dialogs and strong emotions. There are a few steamy and enjoyable moments.
Another winner for me!
I've received an ARC of this book and all the opinions are my own.

The month of February creates the warm illusion of heat and passion and this book was no exception. The two main characters Adam and Isla are old army buddies who get reacquainted after serving together in Afghanastan one night and have a one night stand and become friends there after. Afterwords, there becomes a opportunity for Isla to finally get a bakery of her own (which is what she really wants) but the catch is, is that she has to be married to someone so that she can get her business loan. Their relationship takes a turn and the lines between friendship and love become faint.


I loved what this book portrayed. The characters were honest and caring and the relationship with Adam and his brothers was real and raw and reminded me of my own relationship with my sister. I've always felt like the kid in the family so his feelings on the subject really brought it to life for me.

Second, I loved that the relationship had a lot of challenges and perseverance. That is what a normal relationship has and it was nicely portrayed. The feel of community exhibited in this small Ontario town had me happy that books like this exist, to showcase what Ontario has to offer for outsiders who aren't from here.

The only negative aspect of this book I found was the length as I found it was a tad long and there were some drawn on scenes that could have been cut, but otherwise a lovely quick read for a nice February day.

All thoughts are my own. Thank you to NetGallery and Victory Editing Netgalllery Co-Op for an ARC for an honest review.

I kind of fell a little in love with Adam Kincaid in the first book in this series and he definitely doesn't disappoint in his book! Adam is the youngest of his five brothers and has always felt that he wasn't good enough - or just enough. Even though he is extremely close with his family - you can see that the death of his parents had a pretty profound effect on him. He's finally taking steps to start his career as a firefighter and it isn't easy. When he reconnects with his former captain in the armed forces right before his graduation - it feels like fate. Isla is also in the process of reinventing herself. After a terrible divorce and leaving the military, she is just finishing culinary school and dreams of starting her own bakery.

Isla and Adam are so incredibly good together. They are basically the reason why being friends first so often leads to amazing romantic relationships. They both are each other's cheerleaders and biggest fans. Even though each believes they don't want a romantic relationship - it is apparent to everyone else in their orbit that they are 100% in love.

This story is a great mix between friends-to-lovers and fake-relationship. In all the best ways.

I am loving reading about this big family!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Fierce at Heart is the second book in the Kincaids of Pine Harbour series and although I unfortunately have not read the first book, I think you can safely read this one without getting lost. Each book is a standalone even though family members all appear throughout the book. I've read books written by Ms. York and always find them enjoyable and this was no exception. Isla and Adam's relationship was an interesting, slow burn, fake marriage which is one of my favorite genres. This one, though, wasn't just a fake marriage/relationship -- it had a few twists to make it just a little different which is why it was so enjoyable. Adam is the youngest of the Kincaid brothers and I have a feeling I'm going to like reading the other brothers' stories as well. Another enjoyable 4-star read by Zoe York. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

4.5 stars
I love Adam and Isla so much! What a great story about two people who were not expecting anything more than a mutually beneficial friendship and found a wonderful passionate love along the way. Full of a lot of other fantastic side characters, this story has so much good stuff going for it. I adore this couple and loved watching their relationship grow and shine! I also loved being in Pine Harbour again!

This was a really cute story of two people who reconnected, became friends again, and fell in love!

Isla is a former army captain and is now finishing up culinary school and trying to open a bakery. She runs into Adam, a former member of her team in Afghanistan, when she's doing a pop-up bake sale. They reconnect and become friends. They also have a one-night stand. Then Adam moves back to his hometown to start his new job as a firefighter. He sees a cafe for sale that would be a perfect spot for Isla's bakery. The only catch: it's being sold for $1 to a member of the community. So he proposes to Isla that they get married and live together as friends only. Too bad their hearts might not actually agree with that...

I really enjoyed how Adam and Isla are both figuring out their lives and what they want out of it and their relationships. They were really there for each other. I also love the Kincaid brothers and definitely need to read the rest of the series!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy reading books by Zoe York. I was very excited when I was given this ARC,but since it had already been published, I knew I needed to get it read as quickly as possible.

It was a long story with a lot of back story and details, but I found myself thinking about it more and more when I wasn’t reading it. I eager sat down to finish it this morning and I have got to say that it was refreshingly beautiful!

Adam finally realized that his heart was full of love despite thinking that he could never possibly love someone. Isla has always been Adams guiding light - since his days in the service.

This is book 2 in the Kincaids of Pine Harbor but I hadn't read the first book before. You don't have to read the previous book.

I did enjoy this book . I found it entertaining. I liked the story and the characters.

I do recommend this one.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an independent review.

Another sweet and easy romance in this new series. Whilst the premise of the book is probably a bit of a stretch in reality, the story is quite charming and it it is nice to find out more about the Kincaid family. The relationship between Adam and Isla was a slow burn but their friendship builds into love.

Great book for a rainy day. 3.5 stars. Look forward to the next brother’s story.

Adam didn't expect to meet his former commanding officer selling cookies at a Toronto market, nor did he expect the mind-blowing one night stand or the ensuing friendship, but when he sees a chance for her to own her own bakery, he suggests a marriage of convenience based on friendship, not love. Adam doesn't even believe he can love - and Isla's still scarred from an emotionally abusive relationship.

Most romances go roughly friendship (or lust) > love > sex > marriage, but these two flip this on its head, going something like sex > friendship > marriage > love, and it was believable every step of the way. Their chemistry is never in doubt and the solid friendship sets the foundation for a successful marriage even before love sneaks in.

Adam's a great guy who is starting a new career out of the army and still seems to be the baby of this family in his brother's eyes. Despite the teasing, it is clear the brothers all love each other and they (mostly) wind back the matchmaking when he asks. His confusion over love starts very demiromantic and I'm glad his brothers are there to talk sense into him when he needs it.

Thanks to her time in the army and her awful ex-husband, Isla is terrible at asking for help, but the welcoming small town and supportive husband go a long way to helping her trust again and I loved seeing her open up. The ex-husband deserved a comeuppance but I feel like his sub-plot disappeared suddenly which was a bit disappointing. Even a sentence or two could've wrapped it up.

This is actually the second in a spinoff series from an eight book series set in the same town and it was nice that while some previous characters made an appearance (I even commented on the wealth of Minellis to my roommate and it turns out those four siblings get four books each), it didn't feel overwhelming or annoying. This book stands well on its own and its quality makes me glad of such a large back catalogue.

Overall, a very enjoyable small town marriage of convenience and when my TBR calms down I'd love to read more by the author.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

This would be a 4 1/2 – 5 star read if it weren’t for the inclusion of some completely unnecessary trauma. Before I talk about what I hated, I want to talk about what I loved.

Fierce at Heart explores a modern marriage of convenience between friends who want to support each other as they take on new, post military, careers. Isla Petersen had been Adam Kincaid’s commanding officer during a difficult tour in Afghanistan. A few years later, Adam is in Toronto about to graduate from a year long fire fighting program and Isla has finished with culinary school and participating in a series of pop up bakeries. They have coffee. They have friendly sex. She isn’t interested in more and they agree to be supportive friends who are soon to go their separate ways. Not long after Adam returns to his hometown, he has a reason to propose a marriage of convenience to Isla and she accepts. I loved the relationship between them. They have their own goals and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. They are beautifully imperfect and working so hard to be best friends. I loved them and wanted them to succeed. I didn’t need more than these two slightly battered hearts learning to be vulnerable and in love.

So here’s the thing I hated and two reasons why I hated it. Isla’s ex-husband forces himself back into her life and is vaguely threatening. I hated it because 1 – it was entirely unnecessary. And 2 – it was entirely unnecessary trauma. Having an ex-husband who gas-lit her and made love feel transactional was plenty of drama. He was a barrier for Isla to overcome before she could trust herself to rely on Adam. Isla was working on undoing that damage, and Adam was helping through his supportive actions. Having the ex show up, cause drama, and then have no discernable impact on character development or plot felt like a gratuitous helping of trauma. As a reader, I didn’t need it. This past year has narrowed my tolerance for unnecessary trauma. Not every reader is going to be bothered by the thing I hated, just like not every reader is going to love Adam and Isla as much as I did.

Fierce at Heart is the first Zoe York book I’ve read. It’s second book in a series and connected to an even larger series, but it was easily read as a stand alone. I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great love story about Adam and Isla. They have a marriage of convenience. Adam doesn't believe in love but wants a partner in crime and Isla is recovering from a disastrous divorce and wants her own bakery. This arrangements works well as they are friends turned into lovers. Sweet story with a fun cast of brothers.

I loved this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC of Fierce at Heart. This is the second book in the Kincaids of Pine Harbour series and features the story between Adam and Isla.
Both Adam and Isla have their own reasons for no longer believing in love which is what makes the proposal of marriage so perfect - they'll have the companionship and support of a spouse, without the love (or so they think).
I thought their friendship was so genuine and it made their love for each other so pure and really enjoyable to watch unfold.
I'm rating this book 5 stars, it was an enjoyable and addictive read with a happy ending!

This is a romance, and this is the second book in the Kincaids of Pine Harbour series. This is a friends to lover, One night stand, or Fake Dating to Real romance book. I have to say this was a great cute romance story, and so what I needed. I loved both the main characters, and they fitted together so well. This is just a great romance with a lot of drama that was done so very well. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (ZoYo Press) or author (Zoe York) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Fierce at Heart is a sweet and at times steamy read about firefighter Adam Kincaid and baker Isla Petersen. They both enter into a marriage of convenience which suits their own purposes but their hearts are strictly off the table.

Of course, that doesn't go to plan as the attraction between Adam and Isla simmers and they realise that their convenient marriage now has some major inconvenient sexual tension thrown into the mix. Both Adam and Isla have their fears and insecurities about fully committing to each other but the way they help each other overcome those fears made this such a sweet book to read. I loved the chemistry between the two of them and the gradual build up from friendship to their happily ever after. The bromance between Adam and his brothers was great fun to read too.

I loved it,
Story of Adam and Isla is very immersive and easy to read.
To the level that u can almost smell the baked cookies and fell in love in small city life where everyone knows everyone and neighbors support each other in the time of need.
Totally recommend.t

4 1/2 Stars for this friends to lovers romance!

I loved Adam and Ilsa ... even though she's older than him, they just seemed perfect together. The banter between the characters is very realistic and had me laughing out loud. This book has a bit of everything in it ... humor, small town drama, sadness, lots of swooning and it will melt your heart. A great addition to the series and I can't wait for all the other brother's stories.

Ilsa was Adam's commanding officer when they were in the army together. But now, Ilsa has left the army, went to culinary school and is now testing her treats at a farmer's market. She'd love to open her own bakery, but after her divorce, she was left with nothing. When Ilsa and Adam meet accidentally at the farmer's market in the city, she realizes that he's not the young kid she once knew. No, no, no ... he's a handsome man with muscles all over! And after a few drinks, they fall into bed together. The next morning, they agree it was a one-time thing and they are better off as friends.

Adam is the youngest of the Kincaid brothers and after the army, he went to school so he could become a firefighter in his home town. A few days after meeting Ilsa again, he returns home and tries to prove himself as not being the "kid" anymore by buying a house. But when he overhears that one of the restaurants in Pine Harbor is for sale ... and for the price of $1 with very specific stipulations, the first person he thinks of is Ilsa. Now if he can only get her to agree to marry him, he can help make their dreams come true ... she gets her bakery and he gets to be a grown-up in his brothers' eyes. Will they be able to keep this marriage of convenience platonic or will lust get in the way?

I received a copy courtesy of Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I received a copy of Fierce at Heart in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you.
Can a marriage of convenience become more? That is the premise behind Fierce at Heart, the second book in Zoe York’s, The Kincaids of Pine Harbour series. I loved the first book in which you also get a glimpse of the Kincaid brothers who have gone through so much in their lives, but they have stuck it out and they are there for each other.
Adam is the youngest of the Kincaid brothers and he got out of the military and is now completing his training to become a fireman when he runs into Isla Peterson at the farmer’s market. She used to be his commanding officer. They have both left the military and this is the first time since, that they have seen each other. A lot has happened in the intervening years – Adam training to be a firefighter like his dad, and Isla got married, divorced and she also went to culinary school. There is an instant attraction and the two meet up and catch up and one thing leads to another and they have a one night stand. Neither is ready to open their hearts to potential loss or pain. Adam I don’t think has ever really dealt with the loss of his parents and thinks that he is deficient emotionally and can’t love. Isla on the other hand just escaped a marriage that wasn’t what she thought it would be and she is now focused on her career and baking. Little did either of them know that whatever they had planned for their respective futures would change, and quite drastically at that.
Adam graduates and goes back to Pine Harbour and finds out that a local café is selling – dirt cheap. The catch is that the buyer has to be a local Pine Harbour resident or married to one, and so an idea is born that leads to a marriage of convenience for the two of them. For Adam, he is attracted to Isla and even though he thinks that he is incapable of loving, he wants to help Isla achieve her dream of going into business and this is it. For Isla, it’s a way to get ahead of the game and get her business up and running and Adam is not a threat to her emotionally – yet; plus he is a great friend.
I love stories that deal with family relationships and then also seeing other characters from previous Pine Harbour books pop up throughout this one. I really felt for Adam, in that he thought he was so broken that he couldn’t love, and I also felt for Isla because she had had a shitty marriage and a dirt bag of a husband who does pop up again. The resolution of this particular arc wasn’t really ‘finished’ - as a reader I would have loved to have known if he got charged or demoted or if there was some kind of mark against his record, just to finalize this.
There are of course difficulties along the way, in the name of the ex, damage at the bakery… but slowly Isla begins to find her way in the Pine Harbour community and Adam and Isla begin to find their way together and we go along for the ride, and what a sexy ride it turns out to be!
There were a few bombshells dropped about various Kincaid boys, or should I say men, and I cannot wait for the next installments in the series to find out more! As an Aussie, I was also thrilled that Ms. York included references to Australia in this story.
A great read and a worthy addition to the Pine Harbour series! I suggest you get it and settle in for a great read. If you haven’t read any of the Pine Harbour books, then start with the original Pine Harbour series and work your way through to this spin off series. You won’t regret it!!