I really loved this book, mainly because it's such a loving and accurate description of a messy but real queer friend group, with some hot sex and interpersonal drama thrown in. I also really liked the integration of smart information about fire science (through multiple occupational lenses!) with a side of climate change education. It was super fun as an audio.

“Nicole Wells left Seattle two years ago for graduate school to study fire dynamics...and to get away from her best friend and unrequited love, Skylar Clark. Now she's back home with a new job, ready to hit reset on her life and reconnect with her friends. And maybe finally get together with Skylar. Nic's plans go up in flames when Skylar announces she's moving to Fiji for a new business venture, in what will likely be another catastrophe for the ambitious but seldom successful BFF. That, and there's a newcomer to Nic's group of friends: Kira McKinney, a firefighter Nicole can't keep her eyes off. Worried about their friend making a huge mistake, Nicole and Kira work together to stop Skylar from leaving. When talking to her doesn't work, there's only one option left-shenanigans. But as all their efforts go up in smoke, one thing becomes wildly clear. Sparks are starting to fly between Nic & Kira”
This was a cute read. I adored the 2 main characters Kira & Nic. Loved how their relationship developed, a bit cliche but nonetheless I still loved it. I do believe the character development could’ve been better. Of course the queer rep is what drew me into reading this book. It’s important to read diverse books! Thank you Netgalley & HTP for this ALC !!

I thought this book was a really great meditation on being in your twenties and trying to figure out your future, especially how to break out of the patterns you can be held in even by people who love you. All of the characters were great, not just Nic and Kira, but the supporting characters like Skylar, Willow, and Marco were all equally complex with dynamic internal lives. If I had one complaint, it was that the romance felt a bit secondary to the book - I was more interested in Nic and Kira figuring out their personal issues than whether or not they got together. Still, an enjoyable read, and the audiobook performances were solid. Recommended for fans of introspective character work and found family.

A blistering sapphic romance that captures the spirit of millennial burn out (pun not intended, but here we are). Loved the way this one navigated found family and trauma themes, too. Excited for more from this author!

This book didn’t end up working for me.

I enjoyed the premise of a firefighter dating a fire-loving scientist. I also liked the found family elements with their large queer friend group.

I didn’t find the romance between Nic and Kira very compelling, perhaps because Nic spent a large portion of the beginning of the book having a crush on someone else. I also felt like both characters were immature in how they handled conflict in their friend group (using shenanigans to try to convince their mutual friend/Nic’s crush not to impulsively move to Fiji). That made me feel less invested in them and their relationship.

I appreciated that the audiobook contained dual narration, since this is a dual POV book.

A fire-starting scientist and a firefighter fall in love in this steamy romance novel about friendship, found family, and growing together. Nic has been in love with her best friend Skylar for years, and she's finally returned to Seattle after her master's program to admit her feelings. At least that's the plan until Skylar reveals that she's moving to Fiji--permanently. In the years Nic has been away, Skylar has made a new friend, Kira. She's a firefighter fighting for her place in the Seattle Fire Department, and she's just as reluctant to lose Skylar as Nic is. When the two team up to convince their friend to stay in Seattle, things start to heat up in a big way.

This was a steamy romance with a fun premise: a fire-starter and a firefighter, the unlikeliest of duos, falling for each other.

I was initially hesitant with this starting out as Nic wanting to win over Skylar. Usually in romances where one MC is actively pursuing a different LI I find that the final romance isn’t as believable. Fortunately that wasn’t the case with this one. I really loved both MCs, flaws and all. I also thought they were a great match and had good chemistry.

The only thing keeping this from being a new favorite is that the stories for each MC felt unbalanced. We got a lot of Nic’s story but not as much of Kira’s. I also selfishly wanted more cute moments of them together but that didn’t impact the rating.

Anyway, definitely recommend and I look forward to hopefully more adult romance from this author in addition to their YA.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley, M.K. England, Harlequin Audio and Canary Street Press for the ALC of the audiobook!

Nicole and Kira are a really great duo, and to be fair, as close to a match made in heaven. You have Nic, the fire-starting scientist, and Kira, the really hot bi firefighter tag-teaming on their mutual bestie to save her from yet another bad decision. Not one of them was thinking they'd be falling in love (the lie detector determined that this was a lie.) Nic having just moved back, is just starting to gain momentum in her field, and Kira is fighting hard to gain momentum in her career as an openly bi firefighter. The dynamic is giving a younger version of Karen and Hen from 911, and I kind of loved that.

"As a woman, I feel like I have a perspective to offer that isn't heard much in the firefighting world. Especially, when it comes to community relations, inclusive management strategies and bringing different personalities together. There are some outstanding women in leadership... but not enough. I want to be one of them."

(this is not the SFD I know from Station 19:( *sobs )

It also may have opened my eyes in... another way. Because HOT DAMN, this was HOT HOT HOT. M.K., you certainly know what you're doing.

"When you have a big emotional ending in life, it helps to have a new beginning to look forward to... I have a feeling my cup will never be empty again."

This is a really good palate cleanser, and it will make you feel all the feels and then make you warm and fuzzy on the inside. Give it a chance, it'll be nice for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of All Fired Up audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this novel both for content and the narrator. I appreciated that the internal thoughts were not overly repetitive in nature as some tropes are heavily leaned into. I also enjoyed the push and pull of the romance and career path.

A sweet sapphic romance with strong chemistry and loveable leads! Both Nic and Kira were endearing characters who complemented each other in terms of personality and romantic needs. Both were well-developed as individuals in addition to as a couple. Their story is full of humor, joy, and relatable challenges, and has a sweet portrayal of queer found family.

I enjoyed both audio narrators, who each brought a distinctive style and personality to the characters.

ALC Review
All Fired Up by MK England
Narrated by: Angel Pean & Kristen DiMercurio

Nicole returns to her hometown after getting her masters degree and some space from her unrequited love. As soon as she returns, she finds out that the woman she is pining for, Skylar (who happens to be her best friend) is quitting her successful job and moving to Fiji.
Kira is a firefighter in town and is also a best friend of Skylar. They team up and try to make her realize she is making a big mistake.
Throughout their shenanigans, they end up developing a deep relationship and enjoy some spicy fun times.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
* Sapphic rom com
* Firefighter FMC x Fire scientist FMC
* Spicy & Swoony
* Longing
* Messy friend group
* Lots of queer side characters
* So many shenanigans

This was CUTE and spicy and this Pride month, I am HERE FOR IT. When historically flighty Skylar dramatically announces to her friend group that she is moving to Fiji, her best friends Nic and Kira hatch a plan to show her she needs to stay. But when it's clear Skylar has good reasons for leaving, Nic and Kira need to address just why it was so important to them that she stay, even if it means being vulnerable with each other. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook! #allfiredupbook #mkengland #sapphicromance #readqueerallyear #newsapphicromance #wlwbooks

Thank you to HTP Hive, Canary Street Press, and Harlequin Audio for the free book and advance listener copy. These opinions are my own.

When Nic and Kira finally meet, they immediately bond over one thing. They both want to prevent their mutual friend Skylar from following through on her plans to move to Fiji and decrease communication with her friend circle.

This is a lovely sapphic romance with quite a lot of fire. Kira is a fireflighter, and Nic is a chemist who enjoys starting fires (to learn how to prevent their spread, of course). And there's just as much steam, too.

For me, I especially enjoyed that this is a beautiful story of found family. It features such an amazing circle of queer friends. The whole book felt like a cozy hug. It plays a bit with some queer stereotypes in a fun way. And at its heart, it's a story of being ride or die and showing up for friends no matter what.

Angel Pean and Kristen DiMercurio alternated the narration of the audiobook incredibly well.

Loved these little nerds so much. As always I felt all the emotions. My heart hurt so bad for Nic. Non reciprocated feelings is the absolute WORST thing in the world. It was actually devastating watching her still be caught up on someone while she had Kira right there. It felt so selfish of Skylar to not clarify her feelings sooner but I was so so happy when her family was there to support Nic. The narrators did a great job with each of the characters. This was a GREAT pride month pick!

I enjoyed this so much!! Fun story with not too much angst and a great spice level. I love the narrators, especially one had a voice that was unusual and very nice to listen to.

This was a heartfelt sapphic romance with just the right amount of humor, heat, and emotional depth. Nicole and Kira’s dynamic is charming from the start. The plot had enough playful chaos as they attempt to keep their best friend Skylar from jetting off to Fiji, creates the perfect backdrop for a romance that grows naturally. Nic’s internal struggles are treated with care, while Kira brings warmth and steady confidence that made their connection develop at a steady pace. I received an Audio Arc from NetGalley. Both narrators did a great job with tone and delivering the emotion the MCs called for.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the audio ARC

Things I really liked:
-The sex scenes. I heard the author had mostly written young adult, so I was really surprised that this was the highlight of the book for me. We love a hot firefighter lady.
-The readers! Only positive things to say about narrators Angel Pean and Kristen DiMercurio.

Things that were okay:
-found family! Love a found family, wish the friend characters were more developed. I'm kind of wondering if some of them are supposed to get their own books in the future? There were quite a few buddies floating around, and I felt like only one of them got very much development.
-Skylar's arc. It seemed really ridiculous at the beginning, but it winds up less ridiculous.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for access!

both narrators are good. but i like the one who voiced as nic more. kira's too, but everytime i heard a word that ends with <i>-ing</i>, it hears clearly (for me)

the book however, it's entertaining, yes. but sometimes i'm pissed off for both mc's. yes, their best friend is leaving, but planning to stay her longer in seattle is just a dumb idea. like, can they accept that she really IS leaving?

anyways, skylar ate this book 🤭

My GOD the disaster gay is strong with this one but I def had fun! I think this was a really solid sapphic novel with a lot of heart and some great supporting characters. A LOT of the plot felt very well fleshed out and well considered. I do think Kira’s internal motivation was less fleshed out (and felt like a slightly too recognisable story for folks that have ever consumed legacy woman firefighter media), which left the conclusion of the book feeling less satisfactory than it could. Still a book I’d recommend, for the banter, the yearning, and the spice!

All Fired Up by M.K. England, was a hot romance that I didn’t realize I needed. I will admit, at the beginning it was confusing to tell who’s POV was speaking, as they are both narrated by the same person, but as the story progressed it became easier. A firefighter and a scientist who studies fires, if ever there was a perfect match, it would be these two.