Reviewed by: Sue Eaton
TITLE: Striking the Match
SERIES: Redwood Bay Fire
AUTHOR: HJ Welch
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 292 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2025
BLURB:
Love will save the day
TEDDY
Everybody has celebrity crushes, right? You just don’t expect to ever meet them. And even if you did, it’s not like they’d ever like you back—like me back, I mean. I have no idea how to be cool. I’m just the cute kid brother. Not only at home, but with my work family, too.
That all changes the day I run into football legend Cassius Garda. It doesn’t apparently matter that he’s a millionaire or that he’s fifteen years older than I am. It’s like suddenly someone sees me for me, and what’s even crazier is…I think he likes it. Likes me. But when disaster strikes, I don’t know if I’ve got what it takes to save us both.
CASSIUS
Ever since my football career was cut short from a shoulder injury, I’ve been struggling to find purpose again. It’s been nice to move back home to Redwood Bay, but it’s only when the most adorable little firefighter bursts into my life do things start making sense again. Luckily, I’m privileged enough to already be out of the closet. That means if sweet Teddy Foster can get over his hero worship, we might just have a shot at something meaningful.
However, when we find ourselves stranded, alone, and fighting for our lives, I hope he finally understands that he’s the real hero of us both.
REVIEW:
It was great to return to Redwood Bay and the Firefighters, HJ Welch delivers another emotionally rich, swoon-worthy romance in Striking the Match, where sparks fly, literally and figuratively, between two men who couldn’t be more different on paper yet fit together like a match and flame.
Teddy Foster is the sweet, slightly awkward firefighter who’s used to being the “cute kid brother,” overlooked and underestimated. Cassius Garda is a retired football legend, fifteen years older, wealthy, confident, and already out of the closet. Their first meeting is pure serendipity, but it’s the emotional resonance that follows that makes their connection unforgettable. Teddy’s long-standing celebrity crush on Cassius adds a layer of vulnerability and awe, while Cassius’s gentle but firm interest in Teddy helps the younger man see himself as more than just adorable, he’s brave, capable, and worthy of love.
Their age gap, social status, and Teddy’s hero worship could have derailed the romance. Teddy struggles with self-worth, unsure if someone like Cassius could truly want him. Meanwhile, Cassius is navigating post-career identity loss and the fear of falling for someone who might idolize him rather than love him. But the real test comes when they’re stranded and forced to rely on each other for survival. It’s in this crucible that Teddy’s courage shines, and Cassius sees the depth of the man behind the crush.
When a sudden landslide traps Teddy and Cassius during a remote hike, it’s not just a survival scenario, it’s a metaphor for the emotional upheaval they’ve both been navigating. Teddy, often seen as the “cute but inexperienced” firefighter, steps up with remarkable bravery and resourcefulness. Cassius, used to being the protector, is forced to rely on Teddy, and that shift in dynamic is deeply healing for both. The moment Teddy digs deep to keep them safe, Cassius sees him not as a fanboy or a fling, but as a true equal.
Later, when a flood threatens their safety and the lives of others in Redwood Bay, the stakes rise again. Teddy and Cassius work together, side by side, in a high-pressure rescue effort. It’s gritty, dangerous, and emotionally raw. Cassius’s physical strength and Teddy’s quick thinking make them a formidable team. But it’s the emotional aftermath—when they’re soaked, exhausted, and clinging to each other, that delivers the gut punch. Cassius realises he’s not just surviving with Teddy, he’s living again. The landslide strips away pretense. The flood washes away doubt. Both disasters force them to confront their fears, lean into trust, and choose each other not just in safety, but in chaos. By the time they emerge from the wreckage, their bond is unshakable.
Their journey is one of mutual healing. Teddy learns to stand tall, not just as a firefighter but as a man deserving of love. Cassius rediscover’s purpose, not in fame, but in connection. Their emotional intimacy grows alongside physical closeness (yes, there’s huddling for warmth and “other naughty things”), and even the evil cat adds comic relief and unexpected tenderness.
Two men who’ve fought for each other and themselves, finally finding peace and passion in Redwood Bay. Teddy’s transformation from bashful admirer to confident partner is especially moving, and Cassius’s unwavering support makes their love feel earned and enduring.
Striking the Match is a celebration of vulnerability, resilience, and the kind of love that sees you—really sees you—and stays. It’s a warm hug of a book with just enough heat to make your heart race and your soul sigh.
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