Reviewed by Lesley

TITLE:  Smoke Screen

SERIES:  Station 69 Book 2

AUTHOR: Jacki James

PUBLISHER: Self published

LENGTH: 377 Pages

RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2024

BLURB:

If there is one thing club owner Jesse Harris knows, it’s that his best friend’s little brother Andy Ward is totally off limits. Too bad the sexy firefighter would be the perfect boy for him.

Jesse had long given up on finding a boy that fit into his life. Instead, he satisfied his need to take care of others by creating a safe space at his club for Daddies and boys alike to find each other. And that’s enough for him, at least that’s what he keeps telling himself.

And it was, until his best friend’s little brother showed up, looking hot as sin, and desperately needing a Daddy with a firm hand. Now he’s trying his best to think of Andy as Victor’s kid brother, not as the perfect boy for him.

Andy’s job means he is physically strong, but he’s still a boy, and when he becomes the target of a serial arsonist, all Jesse’s protective instinct kink in. He’ll protect what’s his come hell or high water, and make no mistake about it, Andy is his, even if he doesn’t know it yet.

Will these two men find the happiness they both deserve, or will it all go up in smoke?

Smoke Screen is the second book in the Station 69 series about the brave men who fight fires, rescue puppies, and fall in love in the fictional town of Vesper, Texas.

REVIEW:

This is book 2 in the Station 69 series, and it continues the story of Andy who is the probie in book 1 and the story of the arsonist who seems to have it for the fireman of Station House 69.

Andy has moved to Vesper to be near his brother Victor. Victor owns a club with his best friend Jesse.  Jesse knows he wants a boy and he knows he would like it to be Andy but being his best friends brother surly puts him off limits doesn’t it? When the arsonist sets Andy’s car on fire whilst Andy is at home with friends Jesse’s protective instincts kick in big time.

What I love about Jacki James’s writing style is that she manages to bring the characters and story alive . I can see Andy stropping and pouting about having to wear bunny ears for the firemen’s’ calendar photo shoot at the start of the book and can picture it all through all the way to the end .

I would suggest reading Book 1 in the series first as this book is a continuation of the arsonist storyline and also a continuation of the characters storyline. The main characters in this book are side characters in the first one and the main characters from the first book are side characters in this one.

I am really torn with the rating of this book, but one thing that has been instilled into me whilst reviewing is you have to be honest. Otherwise you aren’t reviewing you are advertising. Yes, I really enjoyed the story of Andy and Jesse’s getting together . I enjoy all Jacki’s books, but I did find the names of all the characters a bit confusing. I am not sure if it’s just because I read so many books or just the way my brain works but having multiple characters with the same first initial confused me.  You have Kevin & Keith ( both firefighters), Ford (firefighter) & Fox (Arson investigator), Caleb,Cody and Cole. I know it’s hard coming up with names when you have lots of characters and multiple series coming together but I confess I did have to look back to book 1.

Even with my  name confusion I would recommend this book and I am really intrigued where the arsonist is going to strike next.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon