A very short and cute rom com about two firefighters finally admitting they are in love and getting it on in a reality competition between first responders. Loved it.
3 stars.

This was cute and quick read that feature all my favourite things a romance novel could have! The characters were sweet, the plot was easy to follow, and overall I loved the dynamic of the book with the characters. This can easily be read as a standalone which is a big bonus and the opposites attract trope made this book much more fun to read! Definitely a no brainer type read and for anyone who's looking for a little bit of fluff/flirty fun this is a great book for it!

Thank you NetGalley for an eArc of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I just love friends to lovers and first responder romances. This one was fun with the Battle of the First Responders game show with the addition of a promotion on the line. Eli Ward, firefighter has been crushing on his co-worker Stephanie Diaz for the entire time they've worked together, four years. He carefully stays in the friend zone because Stephanie has made it clear she doesn't date co-workers. She has a very good reason since she had to transfer from her last station because of a love affair that turned toxic. When they get sent off to be the firefighter team in the competition for charity donation money they spend an intense 2 weeks in each other's pockets.

The problem is their chemistry is off the charts and they succumb to temptation. They decide to keep their relationship secret and it will only last during the competition. They both are vying for the lieutenant promotion as they both want to be chief someday. This presents a huge problem for them. As the events progress it's plain to see they make an excellent team and their chemistry gives them the name Team Steli. Neither one will own up to their relationship beyond friends and teammates. Things come to a head at the end of the competition and both have to do some major soul searching as to what will ultimately make them happy.

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

First of all I wanna thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for my first arc!! I was super excited to receive this book because I wanted to read a firefighter romance!! This book follows two firefighters who were chosen by their chief to go on this game show (similar vibes to the survivor or the challenge.) Both of them had similar feelings for eachother and you will see how that plays out hehe

Tropes: slow burn, workplace romance (kinda), forced proximity

⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5/ 5

I've been a fan of Mariah Ankenman's writing for a while now. She always delivers on fun and steamy romances. They are honestly just a good time. The Firefighter's Dilemma was a perfect romcom for me.

I really enjoyed the characters. They had fantastic, top notch banter. I highlighted so much! Their dynamic was fun, entertaining and left my kindle on fire.

I thought the reality show competition was unique and kept the story interesting.

The pacing and writing were superb!

I absolutely loved this! The perfect romcom escape! And who doesn't love hot firefighters?

Stephanie Diaz has always dreamed of being a firefighter, setting herself a goal to become the youngest female chief in Denver. In a mainly male profession, she's had to work twice as hard creating a no-nonsense, ballbusting reputation. After a relationship gone wrong in her last job, she's determined never to date a coworker again.
Eli Ward is a third generation firefighter trying to live up to his father's dying wish to follow in his footsteps and become chief himself. Ever since Stephanie joined his station though he's been distracted by his crush on her.
Battle of the first responders is a live web show competition offering money for their station and their favorite charity to the winners. Eli and Stephanie are chosen to compete for the show and the chance at a promotion. As the competition heats up, so does their attraction, but it can only ever be a fling. When they return home, one of them will be the other's boss making a relationship impossible.
This was a unique storyline with a steamy close proximity secret relationship. The banter between the two was fun and flirty. I liked seeing how their different personalities worked together to face the challenges and the competition for the hero award just increased the tension even more.I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another sweet and steamy read by Mariah! I've been hoping for a Diaz and Ward love connection since they were first introduced as side characters in The Best Friend Problem and I was not disappointed. This was a light, fluffy, happy read and a perfect book to devour on Galentines Day.

This was my first time reading from this author and this series and a totally loved it and wish I started sooner!! I loved the aspect of having a competition (super original and interesting!) and the fact it was a workplace steamy romance? a total PLUS in my books! I will definitely be continuing on in the series and hope they just keep getting better and better!

Sweet and unique story for these two firefighters

Loved the set up of a battle of the First Responders for a web show. I would actually love to watch that. Loved these two characters and their history with each other.

I liked that we took our time with competition, but I feel like their secret hook ups and falling in love felt rushed. They may have taken place over more time due to the web show but it felt like about 2 times and then the heroine was like.. STOP! People will KNOW! umm.. it just wasn't enough for me.

They were both good characters but I felt a bit was missing to believe that the hero came to this revelation so easily and she was 100% willing to do her grand gesture so quickly..

Anyway, this was still fun and sweet and I love a Firefighter Romance, especially when the woman is one too!

4 stars
2.5 on the spice scale

I am new to the author and this Mile High Firefighters series but read easily as a standalone. Firefighter Stephanie Diaz goal is to be the youngest female fire chief in Denver. As a woman and a minority she feels she has to work twice as hard as her male counterparts. It is good she absolutely loves her work. Fellow fire fighter Eli Ward is a legacy. His dad was a chief as was his grandfather. Eli and Diaz have worked together and been friends for the last four years.

The chief assigns them as teammates for The Battle of the First Responders. It is a competition that includes a team from police, nurses, paramedics etc for a new show on a social media app. The chief also dangles a new promotion (lieutenant) potentially for one of them depending on how they perform. There is charity prize money and a personal bonus that both can use which serves as additional incentive to not only do well as a team but to shine individually. Of course in the forced proximity of their cabin the flirting and attraction flares.

This is fun, easy going read. I love the genuine friendship feelings and respect the two have for each other. Diaz has a strict no messing with co-workers rule that is an issue. But rules are made to be broken temporarily sometimes. I like that Eli has a little growth in self awareness about his goals. And I appreciate the ending plays out with both staying competitive in the game. I did cringe when the chief mentions winning star challenges as one of his reasons for giving his promotion recommendation. That one line discounts four years of hard work ethic and every other skill the person demonstrates. I know that wasn’t the only reason for the promotion recommendation but it bugged me. (I didn’t spoil who gets the promotion.) (3.5 Stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Firefighter's Dilemma is the story of Eli and Stephanie. They're both firefighters who work at the same station, with the team and both are eyeing the same promotion. Their chief sends them on a reality show together, after which he'll decide which one of them will get the promotion.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; my first Mariah Ankenman and most certainly not my last. The banter and sexual chemistry in this friends/co workers to lovers story was perfectly on point and it kept me hooked all the way till the end.

A fiery read, firefighter pun intended 🔥

I loved the fun banter between Ward and Diaz, it showed how comfortable they were with each other as friends. Seeing their relationship evolve into more was entertaining. Diaz was such an independent and strong woman who was so set in her ways that I really didn’t know how they’d end up getting together and Ward was such a sweet, funny and caring guy that had me rooting for him from the start! I loved seeing his character evolve and discover himself as the book progressed. I wasn’t sure how their two characters would end up together so it was entertaining reading it all unfold! Of course the spice was the icing on the cake and it was hotttt 🔥

Steli is a hit! Stephanie and Eli are firefighters who work together. The story is wonderful and fun. The characters are a blast. The plot of the story sees the characters in competition with each other. The dialogue flows great and keeps the reader entertained. The characters show growth as they explore their feelings for each other and their career goals. It is a great addition to the rest of the series.

Stephanie Díaz and Eli Ward not only work together but are also good friends who have the hots for each other and think that their feelings are one sided.
They have been selected to participate in a reality show, The Battle of the First Responders, wherein they have to stay in a secluded cabin in the Rockies, competing to win not just the competition but also a promotion. As the competition heats up so does the attraction between them and keeping hands off each other proves impossible.
This is an awesome read. A much awaited and highly enjoyable read. I loved the bond between Eli and Stephanie, the banter between them cause many a laughs. And the chemistry between them had the heat quotient going up. A fun and quick romcom that left me wanting more.

When it comes to firefighters, you know there’s got to be some heat and steam. That’s exactly what I was looking for in the story and you can bet the author delivered.

She also delivered a unique and fun story even though it was a bit different than what was expected.

Going on a reality show in order to win a position was kind of strange, but it worked. I love the two characters. I love the energy and spark that they had together. You know that when they figured each other out, it would be a combustible fire. And that it was.

The story is engaging, passionate, and a steamy read that just made me not want to put it down for one second. I read it in one day, it was that good.

You will definitely want to check out The Firefighter’s Dilemma if you love firemen and firewomen with the passion they bring to their jobs and each other. Sexy and fun!

I have been patiently waiting for Ward and Diaz's story and was so excited by this premise! Forced proximity is always a favorite and I liked how the mix with the competition pushed them. Overall, I really liked this book and loved the addition of their story to the series. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer. I would have liked to have a little more build up and I think the storyline could have given that if drawn out a little more. I love Ward and his attitude on everything and would have enjoyed seeing that more to bring Diaz out of her comfort zone. Even with that, I loved this story and can't wait to read more from this author.

I found The Firefighter's Dilemma to be a laugh out loud good read with likeable characters and a strong story line. This was my first book by this author but not my last. I received a ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review

I really didn’t care so much for this book. I’m not too into this type of romance. It was just too much for me. I just couldn’t finish this book. It wasn’t for me at all

Four stars and they are all for Eli. Never was a character more than perfect for the other one, even when the protagonist was vulnerable and cared for him, he was a thousand times better
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Stephanie Diaz has two rules in her life, always be prepared and never date a coworker. No matter how bright their smile or how big their heart, best friends is her limit
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But when the station chief tasks them with participating in a reality show about first responders representing their team and sharing the same space for two weeks, their limits will be tested
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Eli Ward has a legacy to live up to, just like his dad and grandpa were both fire chiefs. And this competition may be what it takes to get him the promotion he needs, if only he didn't have to team up and compete at the same time with Diaz and the dumb crush he's had for her since he arrived at the station
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This is the third book in the series but not my favorite, unfortunately Lexi and Dison have my heart, they were perfect for each other just like the characters in the first book. In this book Eli was perfect, sunshine, strong and vulnerable at the same time and Stephanie's grump fell short
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This is an Enemies or friendnemies to Lovers in the same workplace with a banter and second characters so good that it's impossible to stop reading after reading one book. Mariah Ankhenman writes hilarious romances with heartwarming characters that are so easy to imagine and fall for
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Thanks to Mariah Ankhenman and Entangled Publishing LLC for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

The Firefighter's Dilemma is such a fun read. I loved this one so much. Stephanie and Eli have this incredible chemistry throughout this one. Stephanie and Eli firefighters who love a challenge. Thrown together in competition, Stephanie and Eli work so well together. Stephanie loves to win and wants that promotion that is dangled in front of her. Eli loves being a firefighter and the following the family legacy. I love how Stephanie and Eli feed of each other's leadership skill. The closer they get you feel that shift. Eli is ready for more and Stephanie fights to show she has earned everything thrown at her. I could not get enough of this one and watching Eli and Stephanie fight the sparks that fly. You are not going to want to miss this one.