I didn't really realize this was the second book in a series so I guess it can be read as a standalone just fine!

This one had a fun cast of characters and alternative perspectives (which I often love) and the the chemistry was great!

There are a lot of different themes happening but they all blend quite well.

A quick hookup comes back to bite these two main characters. Zander, formerly a Marine, grasps every day. Imani works way too much. Together they agree to fix up Imani's inherited house - eager to be rid of each other. But the pull of attraction has different ideas.
Cute and quick read.

I enjoyed this book! I love romance books and I felt giddy while reading this! My heart was fluttering in my chest at all the cute moments

This was a cute, second chance romance. It was a little slow to start and a bit predictable. I didn't realize this was the second in the series. Lancelot, the parrot was a great comical addition to the book. Although it can be read as a standalone, I wonder if I would have been more connected to the characters if I had read the first one, How Sweet It Is. I'm considering reading the first just to see.

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this one didn't disappoint! I'll be reading more of Newton in the future.

I liked the first book, but I think I loved this one even more! The main characters were perfect fits for each other and completed one another. I loved the mental health rep and seeking help when needed most.

Featuring a cozy small town, cute pregnancy fun, people with a history, and making a pact that one person has to make the first move, All Fired Up has a lot going on. It's a cute romance, for sure. I don't know that it's the first book that would come to mind to suggest to someone, meaning that it didn't really stand out, but I really enjoyed it while I was reading it. It has a comfort read quality. I like the discussions of family and taking care of each other. I liked the arts and crafts mentioned, especially working with clay. The hot air balloon ride was really a cute moment!

Dylan Newton just brings out the best in contemporary romance.

All Fired Up had me...well, fired up. I enjoyed her debut and looked forward to this endeavor because it contains so many of my favorite tropes and elements of romance. Newton wrote a story filled with tension and fun. If you are hesitant about a "friend zone" or friends-to-lovers story, don't be put off by this book. The characters were sweet, relatable, and compatible. The story flowed nicely and paced so well that I flipped pages quickly to see the big conclusion and HEA.

Such a sweet time!

Now, I need her next book...

Thank you Forever Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

Dylan is truly a phenomenal writer and person. I love how All Fired Up carries over with the next Matthews brother. There was a great combination of it all: trauma, grief, love, passion, spice, friendship, anger. Dylan can weave a true story that doesn't make you feel like you're reading 'smut' and you're still getting all of the spice and romance. She weaves in true situations and conflicts that people deal with, making it relatable. I loved the hot air balloon and the play on words for the title. A great glimpse at the characters from the first book as they peak in as well.

A sweet premise and a lighthearted read. The dialogue was a bit too lengthy in several scenes, which dragged the pacing down and made the book feel a lot slower than it needed to be. I also just didn’t quite feel the chemistry I wanted to between the two leads. Definitely not a bad book by any means, but one that I struggled to connect with as much as I wanted to.

Absolutely loved the first book in this series and this one was fantastic too! Really liked how he has such an interesting job (as a ceramicist) and they have so much chemistry!!

Very well written book. Really enjoyed this author, would definitely read more by this author and recommend on my book IG

This was such an incredible book! I was hooked from the start—really enjoyed the storytelling, I couldn’t put it down and can’t recommend it enough!

Meh. I wasn't too impressed with this one. I had tried reading the first book in the series, How Sweet It Is, a while ago, and it just didn't grab me. I probably should have finished it too read this one, but oh well. Still very underwhelming.

*Thank you @readforeverpub for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because rating 4 stars or less.*

Ok, let me be honest. I did not read the first book in this series. I think that may have hindered my love for this book because I did not have an existent love or understanding to the characters. I did not really connect to any of them throughout the book. I think I could have solved this by reading the first book. So take my rating with a grain of salt.

The hero and the heroine had a one-night stand at a wedding, but then the heroine ghosted the hero afterwards. They reunited when the heroine returns back to the hero's small town to stay for the summer with her grandmother, who'll need some help after her surgery. The hero has a plan to change the heroine's mind about having a relationship with him, starting with being friends with her as he stealthily made moves that he hopes will give a different view of himself in her mind. As time moves onward, the start of a new romance shines through in this delightful Dylan Newton book!

This Dylan Newton book is focused on a couple given a second chance to truly be together in a romantic relationship. The heroine is a career woman who is questioning the direction of her life and the hero is an artistic man with a carefree image that requires changes he needs to face for his future. The main couple is surrounded with a supportive cast of secondary characters who care about them both. It even includes a dirty-speaking avian pet whose commentary enlivens the story, especially in the main couple's romance. The overall story is entertaining, though it would have been nice to have more details about the heroine's family. Definitely an enjoyable Dylan Newton book and I look forward to reading more from the author.


** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **

Such an easy, bingeable read I got through this book quickly which was amazing! Loved how cute this story was really enjoyed it in between some heavier reading

I’m rounding up for a few reasons:
1) Zander
2) this book is absolutely bingeable
3) the audio was great
4) Zander

I hated how mean everyone was to Zander, especially Imani (even if unintentional), but by the end I came around and loved her. It just took me a while and made me sad in the meantime but like I GET it okay???

But also Zander 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) ​and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
I was completely enamored with the world depicted in How Sweet It Is, and my anticipation for more of the Matthews brothers knew no bounds (and dare I hope for one more featuring the youngest brother)!

One of the aspects I adore about this series is the cozy atmosphere it exudes, creating a delightful and light-hearted experience while simultaneously addressing weightier themes such as anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and the loss of a loved one. Dylan Newton's writing is truly superb, effortlessly captivating me from the very first page.

However, I must admit that I didn't find myself adoring this installment quite as much as its predecessor. Imani and Zander, the main characters, embarked on compelling personal journeys, and I appreciated their arcs. Initially, I could genuinely sense the attraction between them, but as the story progressed, that spark began to fade.

For me, the primary issue with their romance was the excessive blame placed on Zander, leaving me with the impression that neither of them made life-altering choices for their own benefit, but rather because of each other. Imani frequently engaged in a push-and-pull dynamic with Zander, subsequently holding him accountable when things went awry. While I found the representation of anxiety and panic attacks commendable, it was exasperating to witness a character who failed to take responsibility for her own actions, right up until the very end.

In summary, this was an enjoyable read, albeit not my favorite by this author.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me advance access to this title. I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more from this author. As a reader, I am really motivated by character driven stories and I found myself quickly becoming immersed in these characters’ lives. Full review to come.