Sometimes stories about a friend being attracted to their friend’s sibling can be the same. This one differs in that Arden is older than Tyler and that her brother, Jaime isn’t the typical “No one can date my sister” brother. Not that he’s thrilled but he’s accepting. Arden has a lot of issues that cloud her feelings while Tyler is very patient and understanding but learns that he has some issues that he needs to work on. I liked the interaction of all of the people that Arden gets to know and who are already in her brother’s and Tyler’s circle. This was an easy read and hope to read more about the adventures of Jaime, Mila, and others.

I just love a good romance that incorporates a set of good friends into the story. I think it brings an extra element of joy to not only see a couple fall in love, but to see that they have a group of friends supporting them. I think it helps draw a reader into their lives like they are one of those friends in the story. Tyler had so much going for him in this book. He's a geek turned hottie, and now a firefighter. He has this strong protective need in him based off a traumatic event in his past. He's has an alpha personality with that gentler side to him. While his overprotectiveness was portrayed as a bit of a flaw in this book, I actually think it was his best feature. Nothing gets me more than a protective male. Arden was the cheerleader in high school, the popular girl that extended into her adult life until things came crashing down around her. It was a bit of a wake up call for her that caused a need to stand on her own two feet. That got in her way a lot in this story, but I still really liked her character. All the characters in this book, from the main characters to all the side characters were fun to read about. I enjoyed this book and I hope we get more with the side characters.

Firecracker is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance that is filled with heartache, second chances, a lot of emotion, healing, friendship, passion and love. This was such an excellent story that kept me enthralled from the first chapter. There is definitely more to Arden Lennox than meets the eye and I loved her story. She is such a survivor and so caring but after seeing all her hopes and dreams slowly die over the course of her marriage, she just doesn’t know where to do. Widowed at twenty-eight years old, penniless, emotionally struggling, with feelings of guilt, she has to make a new start. So she heads back home to Chicago, living in an apartment for free that her brother owns, that is under construction. Tyler Ramirez has always had a crush on his best-friends older sister Arden, the hot, beautiful, cheerleader from high school who married the football star. Now she is back and living in an apartment that he is rehabbing. But Tyler is now a smoking, hot, fireman, nothing like he was in high school. From the very first scene of them connecting you could tell he was just a genuinely good guy. so sweet, selfless and sexy. It was wonderful how he was there for Arden. What they shared was scorchingly, passionate and incredible. But with so much on her plate, will Arden push away the best thing she could ever have. Loved this story. The secondary characters of friends and their support and care for one another was amazing and I hope that I get to read more about them. Gifted an early copy in exchange for an honest review.