Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Fired Up

SERIES: Fever Falls #1

AUTHOR: Riley Hart

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 232 pages

RELEASE DATE: January 2, 2019

BLURB:

ASHTON
If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to play the game…both on and off the field. If it hadn’t been for that one teenage slipup where I kissed Beau Campbell, I’d be able to keep fooling myself. Football is the one thing I use to distract myself from the truth, and when I screw-up and lose the game I love, I find myself right back in Fever Falls. And right back face-to-face with Cranky Campbell, who hates me even more than he did when we were kids. Whatever magic he held over me then is still there. As much as I fight it, I still want him. And I always get what I want…well, except with Beau, who constantly calls me on my crap. Why do I like that so much?

BEAU
I might’ve spent years watching Ash live out my dream—without the off-field antics and orgies with women, at least—but I’ve made a good life for myself. I’m a firefighter, and I coach my brother’s football team for those with developmental disabilities. But when Ash swings back into town armed with his monster ego and an arsenal of stupid nicknames, everyone is in awe of him. Nope, not me. I don’t care if our kiss years ago was responsible for my sexual awakening. I won’t fall for Ashton Carmichael. Though that resolution would be a whole lot easier if he wasn’t so tempting. Once he finds his way into my bed, I’m screwed—in more ways than one. But there’s more to Ash than meets the eye, buried beneath his ego, sarcasm and how we burn up the sheets together. Soon, it’s more than a game. We don’t just get each other fired up, we just might win each other’s hearts.
Too bad things are never that simple…

REVIEW:

Well this series has started off with a smoking hot bang! I can’t wait to see what Devon writes now. This was reaaally good. The characters, the writing. Of course, what’s not to like about sexy firemen and football players. 😉

Seriously though, I really loved that people with disabilities were brought in. I’m in love with K-man. The main characters were just great but something about Beau’s brother, K-man as Ash calls him, was just so endearing. And I love how Beau and Ash are with him. People think, ‘it’s just because they’re brothers.’ No, not at all. People often treat people with disabilities as though they are stupid or childlike. And with Beau, it was never an option. His brother is so much of his life. And that Ash, who didn’t have to, treated Kevin like a regular person as well, for me, it was beautiful.

Beau and Ash had a beautiful relationship, too. Even when Beau felt he hated Ash with a passion, it was really passion taking him over. Of course, neither completely got what drew them to each other at first, but they had a relationship that was no holds barred most of the time. Beau didn’t put up with Ash’s crap, and Ash strived to be everything to Beau without even knowing it. And when graduation night came about, and the kiss happened, everything changed. Ash ran screaming for the hills, not literally, and Beau finally knew why he felt so different. And why Ash really got to him so bad.

Both of their stories were hard on them. Pasts that they somewhat struggled with. And presents as well. Beau doesn’t regret a thing as far as staying home to help take care of him brother and help his mom, instead of going off to college and such, but there are times he wishes he went. And that’s hard. He loves so much and takes care of everyone and it can be a big burden. Even when love doesn’t feel like a burden. If that makes sense. I admire him. It takes a lot for those kinds of decisions.

Ash felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Always feeling he has to be just so. He has to be the big football player, and have the success and all that goes with it. Being different isn’t an option. Especially being gay. And that’s a lot of pressure. Most often hide behind drugs or alcohol. Or doing things that are destructive. Ash is no different. It’s so hard to hide who you are. To be yourself. I love that Beau never pushed. He let Ash be who he was with out judge or jury. Sometimes things hurt but he kept going.

This is a powerful story in a lot of ways. The bonds of friendship, the support, the love. It’s a great start to this series. And I’m anxious to see how it continues.

RATING:  

BUY LINK: 

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