Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings for All Fired Up and I wanted to like it a lot more than I did. I enjoy a good strangers to friends rom-com, but I couldn't get behind Nic and Kira's relationship as it felt like "welp, its a romance book so there must be some" and then pushed these two together. That being said, I liked their developing friendship a lot more. I also didn't enjoy the fact of what brought them together is that their best friend is moving to Fiji and they believe that she couldn’t make it. It felt like all they thought of her what she was ditsy and that’s it. When actually she’s very smart and has a PHD in Psychology. Another thing that irked me is Nic's relationship with Skyler itself. It felt like "I can move away from you, but you're not allowed to move away from me" and that's all i could think about the whole time. Overall, 2.5⭐️.

Sparks fly when Kira and Nic team up to save flighty Skyler from herself as she surprises everyone in her life with a move to Fiji. A social media influencer who can't seem to stick to one thing, deleting all her social media and permanently moving to Fiji has Skyler's friends scrambling to bring some sense to her. But while they're trying to convince Skyler this is a Bad Idea, they find that maybe there are some embers between them.

4.5⭐ (audio) I really enjoyed the narration on this! The two narrators did a wonderful job with the characters and kept me engaged in the story.

5⭐ (story) Nicole Wells left Seattle two years ago for a master’s in fire dynamics and some much-needed space. Now she’s back, ready to hit reset on her life…and take one last chance on best friend/unrequited love Skylar Clark. But Nic’s plans crumble when Skylar announces she’s quitting her job and moving to Fiji for secret reasons—another typical Skylar disaster in the making. It’s a giant red flag, and Nic feels like she’s the only one who sees it… Until she meets Kira.

Kira McKinney stepped in as Skylar’s safety net friend while Nic was away. She’s got plenty of her own problems—can’t get promoted, cancels all her dates, her fire chief father’s legacy—but when Skylar makes her announcement, Kira knows she’s needed again. Fortunately, Kira finds an ally in Nic, and when talking to Skylar doesn’t work, there’s only one option left: shenanigans.

This was a scorcher! I really loved the premise of this story, and it was a joy getting to know Nic and Kira and to watch their relationship change and grow. Loved this one! 5⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

All Fired Up

By MK England
Narrated by Angel Pean and Kristen DiMercurio
Published by Harlequin Audio

Release date 4/29/2025

Blurb:

“A fire-starting scientist and a bi firefighter team up to save their best friend from an epic mistake in this celebration of queer joy, perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Ashley Herring Blake…
But as all their efforts go up in smoke, one thing becomes wildly clear. The situation between Nic and Kira is heating up…but they’ll have to let go of the past first if they don’t want to get burned.”

My Opinion:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Recommend!

What a great book! Once I started listening I didn’t want to stop. Nic and Kira are so well thought out and have such chemistry! The spicy scenes are 🔥(the dressing room mirror 🤤)
The whole story was wholesome and made sense. I found myself smiling at times and towards the end getting a bit emotional. It was nice that no trope was too pushed or overdone.

The audio quality is amazing. The narrator’s have you drawn in immediately. I could listen to Angel Pean all day!

I need more from this author and from this group of friends I was introduced to in All Fired Up.

4.25 stars

This was a fun one! A fire fighter and a fire scientist is a silly combination but it worked really well without being absurd. The love triangle was mostly non-existent which I preferred. I felt the characters were well matched and the relationship grew realistically. Any silly part of the storyline wasn't dragged out (like the antics to get their friend not to move). Overall it was fun and the intimate scenes were fantastic but I'm not sure if this was particularly memorable.

The audiobook narrators were both really good and I felt the same about the production quality. Both had good acting and spoke at similar cadences to where I didn't have to change speeds between them. I also felt their voices were different enough to know whose POV I was on which sometimes can be a struggle with 2 narrators of the same gender.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!

M.K. England’s All Fired Up is a heartfelt and empowering sapphic romance that blends vulnerability, humor, and emotional growth into a compelling story. What begins as an attempt to help their best friend stay in the U.S. quickly transforms into a deeper, more personal journey for the two central characters—one that explores identity, love, and the courage to choose happiness.

England excels at portraying emotionally authentic characters who struggle with real-life issues, from family expectations to self-doubt and fear of change. The story never shies away from tough moments, but it handles them with grace and relatability. At its core, All Fired Up is a story about finding your voice, embracing vulnerability, and allowing yourself the freedom to pursue joy—no matter how uncertain the path.

With rich character development and a romance that feels both organic and inspiring, All Fired Up is a standout in queer contemporary fiction. It’s a beautifully written reminder that sometimes, love is the spark we need to ignite real personal transformation.

5⭐️ 3🌶️ 4🎧 I loved this book and the journey it lead to a HEA! From coconspirators, to FWB, to lovers was a real treat.

Nic having a crush on her best friend Skylar, and then learning what true chemistry and love should feel like with Kira was beautiful. Nic's fear of being left behind and Kira's fear of letting go of things that no longer serves her caused some conflict, but their found families help them find the truth in their feelings and lead them to resolution.

Angel Penn and Kristen DiMercurio did a great job narrating, I loved this listen and would listen again!

Such a cute story. Love a good sapphic rom com. It was an easy read, not anything crazy. I do feel there could have been more in the character development.

This book snuck up on me and stole my heart. M. K. England did such a wonderful job with this book. I started out a bit scared that the main characters wouldn't get together until the very end of the story, but the conversation between Skyler and Nic at the 50%ish mark really sold me on this book. I loved the found family and the slow build to love between Nic and Kira. I truly had so much fun with this book. I hope M. K. England writes more romance soon!

4.5 ⭐ 3 🌶️ 5 🎧

This was so sweet, I absolutely loved it. Kira and Nic were smart and strong FMCs with an interesting co-conspirators to lovers trope as they attempt to get their best friend to change her wild plans. Nic has an unrequited crush on said best friend, and Kira has a crush on Nic. From friends with bennies to a happily ever after, I loved watching these two fall in love.

Found Family is one of my favorite tropes and MK put an interesting twist on this one as well. It's a huge plot point, not with the FMCs family, but with their best friend's family and for both of them. Kira and Nic have been through a lot and are slightly broken girls... Skylar's mom is an amazing force though and I loved her part in this story.

The audio was great. Angel Pean and Kristen DiMercurio were both wonderful and I loved this listen.

This book was a good, wholesome time. If you like stories that center found-family and sapphic romance definitely check this one out.

All Fired Up is a bright, bold spark of a sapphic romance that burns hot with chemistry, emotional growth, and the kind of found family dynamic that makes your heart feel held. If you’ve ever rooted for the grumpy-sunshine pairing, had a complicated best friend relationship, or tried to steer a loved one away from a questionable life decision, this book will hit all your emotional pressure points—in the best possible way.

The story follows Nic, a fire scientist (yes, that’s a real and fascinating thing!), who returns to Seattle with more than a little baggage and one goal: reconnect with Skylar, her best friend and long-time unrequited crush. But Skylar throws a curveball—she’s ditching everything to move to Fiji, and Nic is instantly on high alert. Enter Kira, the bi firefighter and Skylar’s other bestie, who’s been holding things down in Nic’s absence. Kira and Nic team up to stage an intervention of the hilarious and heartfelt variety, but what neither of them expected? The spark that flares between them. And wow, does it sizzle.

This audiobook ignites through its dual narration—Angel Pean and Kristen DiMercurio bring so much life to Nic and Kira, capturing the vulnerability, the fire (pun intended), and the deep, sometimes messy emotions with incredible authenticity. The chemistry between the characters is intense and satisfying, with steam that absolutely earns its stripes, but what lingers is the emotional resonance. Themes of letting go, growing into your full self, and learning when to stop fighting the inevitable are woven beautifully throughout.

M.K. England has created a friend group that feels lived-in, layered, and refreshingly queer in its joy and imperfection. What truly lights All Fired Up beyond a standard rom-com is its emotional depth. This is a story about forging healthy boundaries, allowing friendships to evolve, and daring to dream beyond the limitations of your past.

While the pacing occasionally slows in the middle—particularly around some of the Skylar-centered drama—the payoff is worth it. The heart of the story is Nic and Kira, and their journey from reluctant allies to something much deeper is handled with tenderness, passion, and so much care.

A heartfelt and sultry sapphic romance that goes beyond love and dives straight into healing, All Fired Up is a radiant listen full of fire, feels, and fierce queer joy. Keep this one queued up for days when you need a reminder that sometimes the best plans are the ones you never imagined.

This book was a delightful romance with found family, spice, and (literal) fire. Nicole’s journey of confidence in herself and her relationships was a beautiful thing to see. I related to her need to avoid confronting her feelings to keep the status quo. It was a realistic journey filled with humor and love. I loved the found family aspect of this book. The whole friend group felt so warm and accepting. I also liked that they weren’t afraid to call each other out. Nicole and Kira had so much chemistry from their first meeting. They were really good at communicating their expectations. The story overall was low-angst, which I enjoyed.

The audiobook production was clear and easy to understand. Nicole and Kira's narrators were distinct and easy to tell apart. The narrators added to the enjoyment of the book with the extra emotion they brought to the characters. I highly recommend listening to this book!

Nic’s job is to make fires, while Kira’s job is to put them out. They both have a mutual friend that wants to move far away, neither of them want that so they conspire together to change their friend’s mind. They become friends and then get REAL friendly. Read and follow them navigate their new friendship that is budding into a relationship.

This was so cute! Sapphic rom com with some
GREAT spice. Loved the friend group, the found family aspects. Would definitely read books about the other characters in the friend group. Especially Skylar, I would love to read more about her.

I really wanted to read this so I requested both the ebook and audio book, only to get both. So I did an immersive read and had a great time! The audio book has two separate narrators, loved them both. Especially the one who narrated Kira. Their voices together made it very enjoyable to finish in one day. Felt like they really fit the characters.

Thanks to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

ARC Review: All Fired Up by M.K. England
(They/Them)
Release Date: Tomorrow!

If you’re looking for the perfect sapphic romcom, All Fired Up needs to be on your radar. This was my first read from M.K. England (though they’ve published other books before), and I absolutely devoured it.

It has everything you want in a great romance:

Found family/chosen family vibes
Forced proximity (the best kind of tension)
All the queer joy and heart you could ever ask for
I listened to the audiobook ARC thanks to NetGalley, and let me tell you—the voice actors absolutely killed it. They brought so much life and emotion to the story, I didn’t want to hit pause!

England follows the classic romance formulas we love but makes them feel so fresh, authentic, and unapologetically queer. I seriously hope they write more romance because I’ll be first in line.

If you want a book that feels like a warm hug, full of heart and sparks, don't miss this one!

#BookReview #AllFiredUp #MKEngland #ARCReview #NetGalleyARC #SapphicRomance #QueerBooks #FoundFamily #ForcedProximity #RomcomReads #AudiobookLove

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio for the free copies of this book.

When mutual friend Skylar announces she’s moving to Fiji, Nic and Kira team up to convince her to stay. Hatching a plan of serious shenanigans to make Skylar rethink her decision, all their time together leads Nic and Kira to realize there might be something more between them.

I have mixed feelings about All Fired Up. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Nic and Kira - they had great tension and chemistry, excellent banter, and the combo of a chemist and a firefighter was amazing. I also enjoyed the group friendship and the side characters I hope to see in future books. Plus the queer and mental health representation was what motivated me to read this book.

However, I struggled with the initial way their plan come about and started to unfold. I didn’t like that they were so critical of their friend’s choices and it felt like they were bad mouthing her too much behind her back. That part really frustrated me, and I’m glad it was resolved in an open and communicative manner. Once the story moved past that original plan, I enjoyed it more and ultimately thought it was a cute story!

🎧: Loved the narrators. Thought they did an excellent job and fit the characters well.

3.75/5 stars. Very cute LGBTQ book. Nic and Kiera finding themselves and trusting in their feelings.

All Fired Up is a sapphic story about Nic, a fire-starting scientist, and Kira, a firefighter. Nic recently moved back to Seattle after finishing her Master's degree and is settling back into her old friend group that includes Skyler, her best friend and unrequied love. Nic meets Kira, who joined the friend group while she was away in grad school. Nic and Kira team up to try to stop their shared best friend, from moving to Fiji. As they scheme together, their mutual attraction is undeniable and they start a situationship. This was a fun romcom that kept me engaged the whole time. I enjoyed the dual narration by Angel Pean and Kristen DiMercurio. This was my first M.K. England book and it won't be my last.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced copy of the audiobook and a digital copy for review. This is my own opinion.

This book makes me wish I had a therapist for a best friend. Or at least a friend group like this one. They’re messy and loud and so tightly knit. It seems so nice.

Anyway. The idea of a fire scientist and a firefighter piqued my interest immediately, and this book doesn’t disappoint. All Fired Up touches on the disappointments of being female in a male-dominated career, loss of parents, strained relationships with parents, navigating unrequited love, and getting in your own way. By the end of the book, everything that could possibly go wrong did, but it wasn’t contrived drama and kept me interested the whole time.

I think this book would be excellent for fans of Anita Kelly and Meryl Wilsner.

The audiobook narrators were excellent as well.

Thanks to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

All Fired Up is a cute sapphic rom-com with Nic, a fire scientist who seems to have none of it figured out, and Kira, a firefighter who maybe spends too much time having it all figured out. When their mutual best friend declares she is moving across the world, they conspire together to try to get her to stay. It's a slow burn (see what I did there) romance with some witty comments, a couple spicy scenes, and a friendship group with a lot to figure out.
I do wish we heard more from Skylar, the friend who is leaving and the whole impetus of the story, but maybe in the future. The friend group could have used some additional scenes as well but overall, a really cute easy listen.

The narration was good and easily paced (even at my double speed), and none of the sections felt like dead space.

Thank you to Netgalley for an early audio arc, this is due to release 4/29/2025.