Also in this series: Trouble Walks In
Series: The McGuire Brothers, #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on September 1st 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Fire Fighters
Narrator: Kate Russell
Length: 8 Hours and 38 Mins.
Pages: 352
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
ISBN: 1402293674
The only fire he can’t put out…
Jordan McKenna is back in town, and Fire Chief Gavin Maguire’s feelings when he sees her after all these years are as raw as the day she left. Then he was just a kid wearing his heart on his sleeve. Now he spends every day trying to atone for the tragedy he couldn’t prevent.
Is the torch he carries for her...
Jordan’s life has not exactly worked out the way she expected. A divorced mother of two with a failed acting career, Jordan’s biggest concern about coming back to Old Brookfield was seeing her first love. But when a series of suspicious fires breaks out, Jordan and Gavin realize that dealing with the sparks between them may be the least dangerous of their problems.
Summary
Jordan McKenna has returned home after a failed marriage and being a full-time single mother of two daughters. Her father’s life is faltering, and the man she has always loved is still hurting from all those years ago where Jordan made mistakes she regrets. Jordan and Gavin were high school sweethearts, mistakes were made and other factors drove them apart. Jordan left for the big city, married a man that turned out to be abusive and a drunk, but she got two treasures out of it: her daughters. When her husband gets violent and her daughters are witnesses, she files for divorce. She comes back home to the seaside town for a fresh start and to have a stable environment. Gavin is the Fire chief, but over the years he has sustained his own scars both physical and emotional. He has never forgotten Jordan or how she left him and he never knew why. But Jordan and Gavin have a chance to begin anew, but before they may have a true chance….something traumatic may drive them apart.
Plot and Story Line
Brave The Heat was a brilliant story that had me hooked from the very beginning. I adore every book this author has written , and so far she always brings a satisfying romance. This is the first of Sara Humphreys with a contemporary setting since she has always done paranormal themes. So it was a nice change and boy can she write a fun and sexy fire fighter romance. I loved every aspect of this story, and it is packed with everything you are looking for in a romance.
It begins when Jordan, our heroine, returns to town with her two little girls in tow. Now I know not everyone is fond of children in romances, but I loved these two. Curious, blunt, and so funny. I love how sweet these two were and the way that they cling to Gavin. I loved seeing this aspect because it brings a hint of reality in the mix and I love having a story that is realistic and easy to relate to. And boy reading these girls made me want to have kids…immediately. Not that I will, but they were so precocious and charming and added emotional depth to the story that one wouldn’t see coming but would be delighted to find.
The romance at first is a bit rocky and Jordan and Gavin have some hills and valleys to battle before they can truly accept the past and embrace the future. There is hurt feelings because there were outside influences to their break up, influences that don’t get revealed until now. Which plays a huge role in their relationship. Because their past is the driving force, and they can’t begin to have a future if they don’t learn to accept the past for what it is. It was really quite stunning seeing these two in action, once the truth is revealed. Jordan does take some time before she is willing to begin anything with Gavin. She blames it on wanting stability for her girls, but in all honesty, she lets fear take control over her decisions regarding Gavin. Jordan hasn’t had it easy with men, the only man who has ever treated her with kindness and love has been Gavin. Her father and ex-husband were both abusive in similar ways. So I understand the reasoning behind Jordan, but my heart did go out for Gavin as well.
Now, what really was the icing on the cake for this one was the Mcguire family. They are a hoot of entertainment…let me tell you. First the parents, they were so charming and cute. I love seeing couples that are madly in love after thirty years and still have the chemistry and not afraid to show it. We see that much to “Gavin’s” embarrassment which was so hilarious. The brothers which are what this new series is based on. Boy, each brother is so different but in many ways they are so alike….children they are. Love to bicker and fight over their mothers homebaked cookies. But this family has so much warmth and love attached, that they really add so much more to the story. I can’t wait to see which brother is next, though.
Narration
What a job well done by Kate Russell. I believe this is the first time I have listened to her narration and loved it. Any time I listen to Humphreys’ books in an audio format I always have a fun time. She played out the characterizations very well and her voice did great when switching from male and female roles.
The Cover
What a charming and sweet cover. I love how romantic it is, with the sun shining in the background.
Overall View
Brave The Heat is a sensational romance that will sweep you off your feet with mystery, danger, emotional turmoil and a heartfelt love story that you never want to end!! TRULY MAGNIFICENT!!
Brave the Heat sounds like the kind of book I’d really enjoy, to, Renee. I might just get this on audio, since you enjoyed the narration 🙂 It’s nice sometimes to listen rather than reading myself.
Great review! Have a wonderful Wednesday and happy reading.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Oh it was amazing, it always adds more to a story to have a great narration. Hope you get to listen to it soon, be ready to burst out in laughter though.
Well the little girls sound like they were doing very well. I don’t mind kids in romance but so many times they seem…off. I do love it when I find really nicely portrayed kids 🙂 You’ve got me wanting to try these out now! Looks like a great read 😀
oh you should!!! I think you would love it, and the author did great with implementing the two girls into this story. I love it when the kids fall in love with the character that is dating their mom/dad and it was well balanced too.
I have never read one of Humphreys books, but it sounds like a very enjoyable little contemporary romance! I love kids in romance – when they are well written, anyways. They can really bring an adorable edge to small town romances, in my opinion. 🙂 I’m going to see if I can find a copy of this audiobook as well.
I like what children bring to romance as well especially when they written correctly. What I liked most was seeing how well these two girls just clung to the hero so quickly, and they were so adorable and matched the sweet tone of the story. Hope you get to listen to it soon and love it like I did.
oh my goodness, I am missing out on a firefighter romance? I keep hearing lovely things about it. Now I need to get it
Oh yes you need to!!! I feel this author is really underrated and love her work. I think you will too!! Let me know what you think when you try her out.
I have a weakness for firefighters in books haha I’ll need to read this one. 😀
Firefighters make for some of the best heroe’s right? I can never get enough of them. Hope you get to try it out soon.
I’ve actually got a weak spot when the children are in the romance. Sounds like these two definitely deserve a second chance. I look forward to reading it.
Me too!! I love kids in romance especially when they are written in the right way. I think you would love this book, so sweet. And the girls were so cute and I loved how they just took to the hero instantly.
i actually didn’t like this. I got the paperback from my library and DNFed it about 2/3 of the way. I was bored long before that though. It was my first book by her although I do have a couple of her PNRs on my Kindle. I’ll give those a try, see if I like them better.
Sorry to hear you didn’t like this one. Her PNR is great though, had so much fun with those. This story was more slow building so I am glad I had it on Audio to listen to. Sometimes that makes the difference.
I have a real soft spot for firemen romances. This one seems really sweet. I don’t always love second chance romances, but sometimes I do get in the mood for them.
oh Fireman romances are great right? You would like this one, its lighter and fun.