Stevie‘s review of Burn Zone (Hot Shots, Book 1) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay Romance published by Carina Press 27 Apr 20
I’m always excited to see a new series from Annabeth Albert, to meet a new set of characters linked by location and profession. This time we find ourselves with the firefighters of rural Oregon as they begin the season with new recruits to the team joining seasoned veterans, some out of both groups still mourning the loss of a loved member of their actual and work family. Nine months after Wyatt Hartman died in a fire, his younger brother Jacob is keen to join Wyatt’s old team, much to the displeasure of Wyatt’s best friend Lincoln Reid, who had long before promised to keep Jacob safe – including from himself.
Jacob has harboured a crush on Linc for at least as long as he’s wanted to be a firefighter, but the age gap between them, not to mention Wyatt’s homophobia, always kept them apart. Having achieved one ambition, Jacob is keen to work on the other, especially since Linc’s behaviour at Wyatt’s funeral gave him reason to believe his feelings are reciprocated. Linc is having none of it, however, especially since he’s not out to the rest of Jacob and Wyatt’s family, who have always been more supportive of him in other areas of his life than was his father.
Working together ramps up the tension between the two men, and Linc makes plans to move away, but not before he’s reluctantly agreed to a no-strings liaison with Jacob – just to get things out of their systems. The plan doesn’t have the expected effect, and the two grow closer, even as Linc continues to conceal his identity from his co-workers and his family-of-choice. Eventually, of course, circumstances conspire against Linc, and he’s forced to make some big decisions, which he fears will cause him to lose all of those he holds dearest.
While I liked the glimpses we saw of Linc and Jacob’s work and home lives, not to mention all the descriptions of the area in which they live, I found the constant emphasis on how a relatively small age gap by my standards was such an insurmountable obstacle to the two of them getting together. Yes, it was a factor in them not getting together when Jacob first came out, but once he was in his mid twenties and Linc was only just into his thirties, it was hardly something that would create alarm in any couple of whatever genders. That aside, this was an excellent start to another highly promising series, and I’m keen to see who the author will introduces us to next.
Grade: B
Summary:
Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts…
Smokejumper Lincoln Reid is speechless to see Jacob Hartman among his squad’s new recruits. Linc had promised his late best friend he’d stay away from his little brother. And yet here Jacob is…and almost instantly, the same temptation Linc has always felt around him is causing way too many problems.
Jacob gets everyone’s concerns, but he’s waited years for his shot at joining the elite smokejumping team, hoping to honor his brother’s memory. He’s ready to tackle any challenge Linc throws his way, and senses the chemistry between them—chemistry Linc insists on ignoring—is still alive and kicking. This time, Jacob’s determined to get what he wants.
Close quarters and high stakes make it difficult for Linc to keep his resolve, nevermind do so while also making sure the rookie’s safe. But the closer they get, the more Linc’s plan to leave at the end of the season risks him breaking another promise: the one his heart wants to make to Jacob.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
