Review - - Hot to the Touch

Hot to the Touch

by Kate Meader

Hot in Chicago Rookies - Book 3

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: August 22, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

I might be a rookie Chicago firefighter, but I’m on top of the world. I’ve just earned my spot on Rescue Squad at legendary Engine 6, can get all the action I want both in and out of the bedroom, and am possessed of an enviable sneaker collection. Nothing can harsh my vibe except her—Cassandra Ferguson, my brother’s sister-in-law, or as I affectionately label her: the blister-in-law. Ever since I met her, she’s looked down her perky little nose at me, never mind that I’m a good foot taller. Apparently, I offended her with a few risqué jokes and an offer for a fun, no-strings night—crimes that have relegated me to lower than dirt in St. Cassandra's eyes.

These days we’re at a stalemate. Don’t get along, can’t get along. Only when tragedy strikes, we have no choice but to put our animosity aside for the sake of our hurting niece and nephew, who need us now more than ever. As co-guardians, Cassie and I are enemy combatants in an uneasy truce, flailing around in a no-man’s land of grief and lust, forced to work as a team.

Thing is, when Cassie and I team up—when we really work together—the results are explosive. In a sexy way. In an amazing way. Maybe … in every way. But with stakes this high, we can’t get it wrong.

Even though it feels so, so right.

PJ's Thoughts:

Are you in the mood for a steamy, enemies-to-lovers romance with snappy banter, forced proximity, self-reflection, and a deep well of emotion at its core? If so, Kate Meader's Hot to the Touch is the book for you. It's a roller coaster of a ride that had tears flowing more than once, kept me eagerly flipping pages from beginning to end, and left me with feelings overflowing for this new family formed from the depths of heart-wrenching grief. 

Whether it's humor, grief, lust, animosity, or love, Kate Meader is my go-to contemporary author for steamy, funny, sometimes dangerous, and frequently emotional romance. The characters she creates are complex and multi-faceted, often with unseen layers that are expertly peeled away as the story progresses. In Hot to the Touch, that applies to both Sam and Cassie as well as the young niece and nephew for whom they are now responsible. I loved watching their story unfold as each character evolved, began to see one another in a different light, began to see themselves in a new way. They broke my heart but then they put it back together even stronger than before. That's part of the beauty of Meader's writing. 

Hot to the Touch is the final book in Kate Meader's Hot in Chicago Rookies trilogy. Characters from earlier books make appearances in this one but it stands well on its own though I do recommend all three books. Click the title to read my review of Up in Smoke (book one) and Down in Flames (book two).

 

Review & Giveaway - - Down in Flames

Down in Flames: An MM Firefighter - Hockey Romance

by Kate Meader

Hot in Chicago Rookies - Book 2

A Hot in Chicago Rookies / Rookie Rebels Crossover

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: December 6, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

It was supposed to be a random hookup.

At a crossroads, my life a hot mess, I swiped right on the guy with the washboard abs and the tree-trunk thighs. His handle was Holt (yeah, really) but as soon as he opened the door, I recognized him: Hudson Grey, the hottest prospect in pro-hockey and apparently, secretly playing for my team. Not mind-blowing enough? He needed someone to punch his V-card, and I was only too happy to volunteer as tribute . . .

Then he ghosted me when it got to be too much.

A year later, my life is back on track and I’m a candidate firefighter at legendary Engine 6. While I might be new to the Chicago Fire Department, I’m a veteran in the game of steamy hookups. My No. 1 rule? No newbies. Except now Hudson has been traded to my hometown team, the Chicago Rebels, and he’s out, proud, and ready to date. And he wants my help introducing him to the local gay scene.

My messy past means I’m the worst guy to be mentoring the shy, sexy jock. But neither can I stand by and watch while others touch the man who already feels like mine.

I might have been his first, but I’m about to learn that the new guy has even more to teach me about hunger, hope, and falling hard.

Includes: First times, hot firefighters, sexy hockey players, mini-golf shenanigans, meddling friends, and fighting like hell for the love of a lifetime.

PJ's Thoughts:

What can I say about Kate Meader's writing that I haven't already? She continues to up her game with each book she releases and is, in my opinion, one of the best authors out there writing in the contemporary romance genre. The majority of her books are male/female couples but occasionally she'll write a male/male romance that stirs my emotions like no other. This is one of those stories.

Jude and Hudson are both incredibly complex, well-developed, relatable characters. I loved how they both evolved over the course of their story and how the dynamic of their relationship shifted in accordance with that evolution. On the surface, Hudson seems to be the one who grows the most - from the shy, awkward, closeted virgin to the strong, confident, openly gay hockey player willing to fight for love - but, in actuality, it's Jude who I felt grew the most. My heart ached for him as his cocky, confident persona began to crumble, revealing the mistakes of his past and the vulnerable core so well hidden, bringing me to tears more than once. 

For those of you who like your physical expressions to be on the mild side, this book may not be for you. The sex is steamy and frequent, but also incredibly tender, and used effectively to move this story along. I loved how hot these two were for one another. If you enjoy steam between two consenting adults that's layered with a whole boatload of emotion, this book gives you both...and then some. Jude and Hudson connect on so many levels. I enjoyed how full-bodied their relationship is, the quality of the time they spend talking about a plethora of topics, how they take care of each other, support one another, tease, laugh, and cry with one another. 

As is typical of a Meader book, there's also a lot of humor balancing the emotion and a richly depicted secondary cast of characters. I'll never look at mini-golf the same way again. Hudson's meddling hockey teammates are pure gold (I can't get enough of them), as are Jude's firefighter pals. Then there's Hudson's parents and how they treat Jude. My heart melted and there may have been tears. 

I don't think I could have pulled any harder for these two opposite, but perfect for one another, men to accept the love they didn't always think they deserved. From their awkwardly sweet introduction to their final, heartfelt declarations, they personified the truth that love is love is love and that love is something we all deserve. This one gets my enthusiastic, heartfelt recommendation. 

Note: The initial meeting between Jude and Hudson plays out in the short prequel, White-Hot Hookup, which is currently available to download at no charge. I recommend reading it before beginning Down in Flames. 

~~~~~~~~~~ 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63142010-down-in-flames


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ALSO AVAILABLE
 
#1 Up in Smoke
 
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COMING SOON
 
#3 Hot to the Touch – Releasing August 22
 
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AUTHOR BIO
 
Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines - and heroes - who can match their men quip for quip.
 
 
AUTHOR LINKS
 
Website: http://katemeader.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkatemeader
Facebook Group: https://www.katemeader.com/kates-kittens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KittyMeader
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Review - - Up in Smoke

Up in Smoke

by Kate Meader

Hot in Chicago Rookies - Book 1

Publisher: Kate Meader LLC

Release Date: February 22, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Lives are on the line at Engine 6 … and so are hearts.

Running an engine crew in the Chicago Fire Department is my dream job, and between that, my awesome kid, and my nosy sister, I lead a pretty great life. Bruised and burned by my marriage, I don’t have time for dating or drama, but I always have time for pie. And when I share a slice of cherry with a sweet redhead, followed by the hottest, dirtiest, most pulse-pounding kiss of my life, I start to rethink the possibilities.

Until that woman walks into my firehouse and upends my well-ordered world.

Abby Sullivan is now a rookie firefighter on my crew and a threat to my self-control more dangerous than a five-alarm blaze. My job is to watch her six when all I want is to watch her fall into my bed. Lust has no place in the firehouse, and a distraction like Abby with her electric blue eyes, waves of flame-red hair, and freckles I want to map with my tongue, is one I can ill afford.

Because one wrong move … and it could all go up in smoke.

Up in Smoke is the first in the brand new Hot in Chicago Rookies series about firefighters navigating the trials of new jobs and sizzling romances as they find their place in the world and the love of a lifetime.

PJ's Thoughts:

Kate Meader's Hot in Chicago series is one of my favorite contemporary romance series. When I found out she was planning a new, connected, Hot in Chicago Rookies series, I was beyond excited. A whole new batch of firefighters with potential updates on my favorite characters from the original series? Yes, please!

Up in Smoke brought me everything I've come to expect from a Kate Meader novel. Her characters are intriguing, relatable, multi-layered, and fully formed, with complex journeys filled with steam, emotional depth, and hard-won happy endings. It didn't take me long to be emotionally engaged and full invested in both Abby and Roman. I mean, how could I not love Roman? Here's a badass, gorgeous, growly firefighter with a marshmallow core, a single dad who puts his daughter first, a man who respects and supports the woman he loves, a man who isn't afraid to be vulnerable...and he cooks! And speaking of vulnerable. My heart ached for Abby. She's a tiger on the job (I loved her determination) but carries a huge amount of emotional baggage. Her emotional journey was full of twists and turns that left me exhausted but oh, so satisfied at the end. I loved the banter between them, the steamy chemistry, and the sweetness. 

I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Roman's snarky twin sister, his endearing daughter, and Abby's two Academy buddies. One of those buddies is up next in a M/M crossover novel between Meader's Hot in Chicago Rookies (firefighter) and Rookie Rebels (hockey) series. I can't wait!

If you've read the original Hot in Chicago series you'll most likely love catching up with many of your Dempsey favorites in this new series as much as I did but if you're new to Meader's hot firefighters, go ahead and jump right in with Up in Smoke. But don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to know more about Luke, Alex, Gage, and the entire Dempsey clan while also getting to know the newest additions to Engine 6.