ABOUT THE BOOK
When the grumpy firefighter falls for the sunshine girl who turns his world upside down…
Elsa Whitney walks into my life like she owns the sun, all warmth and light, and shatters the quiet I’ve been clinging to. Not that I can blame her. She’s impossible to ignore. And somehow, I’m the idiot who offered her a place to stay.
Brilliant move.
I’ve got enough on my plate—raising my son, rebuilding my family’s resort, and trying to keep the pieces of my family together. The last thing I need is a distraction, especially one as tempting as Elsa.
Too bad my family is already smitten. Worse? They swear I’m less of a grouch with her around.
They’re not wrong.
Because the truth is, I don’t just want her in my house—I want her in my life, in my bed, in every moment I can steal. And once I finally give in? There’s no turning back.
MY REVIEW
There’s something oddly charming about a meet cute involving goats. Seriously, who doesn’t love a playful little goat butting in at just the right moment? This book reminded me just how heartwarming, and sometimes hilarious, those unexpected moments can be.
Told through the alternating perspectives of Elsa and Haven, their story unfolds beautifully. It explores themes of grief, fresh starts, and the adventure of finding love.
Elsa Whitney is a kind and socially awkward wildlife biologist who has her walls firmly erected around her heart. She learned the hard way that needing someone can lead to heartache. I admired her courage to step out of her comfort zone. Watching her grow and embrace new challenges was honestly inspiring. There are plenty of scenes where we see her nerves and apprehensions, but it’s her determination to try that just makes her so lovable and relatable.
Lawyer and firefighter Haven Silver is the the perfect counterbalance to Elsa’s guarded nature. There’s just something so uplifting about a character who is dedicated to making a difference in the world by taking care of his family, especially when his past has tried to hold him back. Haven is the oldest of the Silver boys and a “good guy” ready to move on with the one woman he’s had a crush on since high school. Haven’s protective instincts shine through beautifully, making you root for him every step of the way.
The beauty of their journey is they begin to navigate the tangled mess of emotions, grief, and past mistakes by finding solace in each others’ arms. And, I appreciate there was no third-act break up to mar the relationship.
The humor in the story is a lovely addition especially through Haven’s family dynamics. His mom, Maggie, is exactly what Elsa needs, and she seems to know her son’s heart better than he does himself. The family banter is funny yet insightful, giving readers a glimpse into family love that is both tight-knit and liberating especially after a tragic past.
If you enjoy feel-good relationships about starting over and navigating life’s adventures with the people you love, please pick up the first book in the Heartfire Falls series. You won’t regret it.
Thank you to Ms. Croix for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Heartfire Falls Series
1 What We Keep (2025)
2 Mine To Hold (2026)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town with her husband and two spoiled dogs. Small town romance is her jam, having lived in small towns from Alaska to several on the East Coast. She writes swoony contemporary romance with sassy women and alpha men who aren’t afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, counting the turtles in her backyard pond, and running with her dogs, which is when her best plotting happens.
Follow J. H. on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
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