4.25⭐

Smoke & Mirrors the second book in Ms Jordan's Forged in Fire series was a great story. That grabbed me early on, thanks not only to the small-town setting, and the community of firefighters and their families, but the characters themselves, especially the main two Logan and Isabel, who, although haven't seen each other in ten years are old friends. Yet, they have plenty of issues not just in the present, but from the past too; and that made this story hard to put down and really enjoyable to read.

And with the perfect amount of humour, drama and steam. Not to mention a lot of attention to what working in a firehouse is really like. Smoke & Mirrors was a delightfully entertaining and well-written romance, and I look forward to reading more from the series in the future.

Would recommend.

Who doesn’t like a steamy novel. This is a Isabel and Logan book, it's book 2 in the Series. Isabel is a clothing designer out of New York that hasn't really made it big yet and Logan is a hunky firefighter. Great storyline and I’ll be looking out for part 3 in the series
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy this book

I hate when someone lies to me. Especially when it is something stupid that they are easily caught at. In Smoke & Mirrors, Logan hates to be lied to, so I relate to his character. Isabel's lies are to save face. They really are cute together. I like how they are able to work through it. I also enjoyed Logan's love of animals..

While I did enjoy the first book in the series a little more, this one was a great read as well.
Isabel has built an image for herself on social media and with her family, portraying a life she had hoped she would be leading. Her reality is she is broke, homeless, and running from an ex. She shows up at her brother, Tucker's, firehouse, where he works with his best friends. She is determined to maintain the image they believe to be true, but Logan sees right through her. Logan has had a bad experience with a woman in the past, and is convinced Isabel is lying, but about what he cannot figure out. When all the secrets are revealed, will Logan and Isabel be able to move forward?
Overall a good story. I loved all the characters, except I was a bit disappointed in Tucker. Did not come across as a loving, protective brother.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Skye's previous series, especially Wildfire Lake, and I went into this book wearing my heart on my sleeve. It was a difficult book to get into. It might be because I haven't read the previous book or because I'm not that much into firefighters (sue me)... It might be the fact that the characters are as annoying as I thought in the beginning. I didn't like Isabel or Tucker but I loved Logan, even though him being so dense, created as much drama as Isabel being flaky.
With that said the book went from 3 to 3.5 stars in the last 20% of the book. The characters opened up to me and I rather enjoyed reading every single one of them. I just think that it was a bit too late in the story to start liking them.

I absolutely loved book one in this series. I had such high hopes for this one.
I could not get into it. I barely finished it by skipping around until I finally finished it. I just couldn’t connect with Isabel. Logan, I loved. But he couldn’t fix my dislike of Isabel. *sigh*

Skye is such a fantastic storyteller, especially when writing about a group of friends. She has a way of keeping the connections tight while telling the stories of the main characters. She also writes in a way that does not really matter which story you read first - though I always recommend reading series stories in order. This one is about Logan and Isabel and their journey from friends to lovers to forever. There were a few times I wanted to give Logan a good shake to rid him of what his parents crazy engrained in him but he finally figured it out in the end. Such a great journey to watch these two and a great set up for the next story!!

ARC received for review

Logan and Isabel were friends as children/teenagers and a little bit more. She left for college under a cloud of distrust towards Logan's sister. She back and running from someone. They reconnect (and it's hot) and then what's she's running from throws a wrench into their relationship. Of course, everything works out in the end. I loved how the fire fighters kept collecting creatures. There are several more guys to get HEAs.

**I received a copy of Smoke & Mirrors from. Net Valley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited.**

Smoke & Mirrors by Skye Jordan is the second book in her series. I didn't read the first book and feel this could be read as a stand alone. I loved this story and give it a 4.7 a star rating. The best part of the book that will give you a laugh is when Isabel describes to Logan how many critters are staying in his rundown motel and what units they are in.

Isabel has become a pro at inventing stories of her time in New York trying to break into the cut throat world of fashion design. But she's on the run back to Hood River where she left friends and family abruptly after graduation. But she's not sure how long her lies will last once everyone finds out that the truth is very far from it.

Logan is a fire fighter who has trust issues and when Isabel shows up suddenly he invites her to stay in his motel that he's bought to renovate. But when he finds out that she's running from an ex-boyfriend who wants something she has will he see the real her and not the smoke and mirrors that she's told about her past? Because trust is something that he has to have not lies.

Smoke & Mirrors (Forged in Fire, #2) by Skye Jordan
I can't say enough about this book and series - It needs more than 5 stars!
This is Logan and Isabel's story - but it has all the wonderful characters from FLASHPOINT the first book in the series. You don't have to read that book first as the relationships and history are in this one - but you should. This book grabbed me and didn't let go - all the angst, laughter, tears, past hang-ups, deception, hard truths, love and steam all get us to a very HEA. I am hoping there are many more books in this series.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed Easy-to-read Entertaining Funny Great world building Happily Ever After Page-turner Romantic Steamy Tear-jerker Wonderful characters

Smoke and Mirrors
By: Skye Jordan

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Each other’s everything?

In book two of the Forged in fire series we meet Logan and Isabel. They have a past as friends that had a one time benefit. She’s been gone for 8 years and let’s just say things may appear differently than reality. He’s a truly nice guy who always looks out for everyone. However he’s been burned by an ex and getting involved doesn’t seem worth the trouble. But when Isabel shows up to the Cockloft bar he owns with her brother and their best friends and fellow firefighters he knows there’s more to her story.

Isabel knows Logan is a human lie detector but as long as she skirts the truth she should be ok....Right?

The writing is flawless, and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shocking moments. I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Authors Blurb: I'm taking a break from women. I've been lied to once too often, and I'm over it.

Then Isabel, my best friend's little sister, blows into town without notice, bringing the past with her. Her secret past.

From the moment she crashes poker night and hustles the whole firehouse out of a couple hundred bucks, I know she's not telling the truth about why she's here.

Lies have influenced my entire life. They've also torn my world apart too many times already.

But by the time the truth comes out, she's tangled around my heart like barbed wire, and there's no way out unscathed.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

The second Forged in Fire book, Smoke and Mirrors deals with another of the three friends who work together as firefighters and own a bar (the Cockloft) together. This time we have Logan and Isabel. They've been friends since they were children and shared a first sexual experience, but since then Isabel has been away from home and their lives have moved on.
It was clear that Logan and Isabel have plenty of chemistry, even after all of those years apart. Logan is a good guy, but he has a lot of hang-ups. His parents' relationship has left him with some serious trust issues. Something that has been made even worse by his recent relationship with Emily. If you've read the previous book, you will know how she lied to him and led him on. Isabel has her own issues, partly from her upbringing, but mostly caused by a career not turning out as she had hoped and losing the friendship of Logan's sister when they were younger. She blames herself for things that have happened, although I don't really think that it was her fault. They make a good couple but have things to deal with before they can be together.
I enjoyed this romance and liked Logan and Isabel as a couple. I assume that the third friend in the group will be the next to have his story told. I looking forward to reading more from this group of friends and colleagues.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I swear, Logan and Tucker both made me SO angry a few times along the way in this book. Tucker was just immature, selfish, and stupid, but I’m also sure that he’ll be getting his comeuppance soon enough. As for Logan, he was quite judgmental and quick to assume the worst. And while he definitely had the experience with nasty to make it easier for him to jump to the wrong conclusion, he wore blinders that were almost impossible to remove for a while.

As for Isabel, I was uncertain at first. But then I saw how she wore her heart on her sleeve, how she wasn’t afraid of any type of work or task, and how she truly got joy from helping others. I wound up feeling angry when she was sad, happy when she found some confidence, and elated when she told someone where to shove it! As much as this was a story about Isabel and Logan finding their way to forever, it was so much more a journey for Isabel to remember just how much she’s worth and why she shouldn’t settle just to make someone else happy.

I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment in this series.

This is a Romance, and this is the second book in the Forged in Fire series. I have read and review the first book in this series. The main characters in this book are draw to each other, but they are dealing with over their own stuff. I found this book to do steamy at times. I really loved the ending of this book. I also loved the firehouse/firefighters parts. I love all the firefighters, and I love that they are all really close to each other. I found some parts of this book made me laugh, parts where steamy, and parts was drama, so you get a little of everything. I have to say that this book pull me into the story within the first couple of chapters, and I could not put it down at all. I will be picking up the next book in the series. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Cygnet Books) or author (Skye Jordan) 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. This book is schedule to be release on May 31-2021.

This is Isabel and Logan book, it's book two in the Series! Isabel is a clothing designer out of new York that hasn't really made it big yet! Logan is a hunky firefighter! Lol they somewhat dated when they were younger and now years later Isabel is coming home basically with her tail between her legs and not being forthcoming on how successful she was in new York. Logan has trust issues from his past and doesn't do well with liars ! This book was heartfelt, it had intrigue and had some really good steam to it! I definitely recommend reading this book and series! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!