🚒🎄⚽💗 “The Firefighter’s Christmas Promise” (Smoky Mountain First Responders #3) (2022) 💗🎄⚽ 🚒 – Book Review
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Firefighter’s Christmas Promise by Tanya Agler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub
MY REVIEW
For those keeping count, this is the SIXTH (6th) trip to Hollydale, and the third (3rd) in the author’s Smoky Mountain First Responders series.
It is worth noting that I’ve been a fan of the author since her debut book, The Sheriff’s Second Chance back in 2020. That book featured Mike Harrison, Becks’ brother.
While this could read as a standalone, readers would get a better picture of the town and people by reading all three of the Heroines of Hollydale series, and the first two books in this series. Since this is part of the series, I HAD to read it. In addition, it is a Christmas book.
Those who haven’t read the other books will get some “spoilers” with regard to the following characters as far as marriages and children.
Returning and/or mentioned characters (by book/series):
Heroines of Hollydale –
The Sheriff’s Second Chance:
Georgie Harrison
Rachel Harrison
The Soldier’s Unexpected Family:
Aiden Murphy
Natalie Harrison-Murphy (twin sister to Becks [Rebecca/Becca])
Danny Murphy
Smoky Mountain First Responders –
The Single Dad’s Holiday Match:
Jonathan Maxwell
Brooke Novak
The Paramedic’s Forever Family:
Mason Ruddick
Lindsay Hudson
The “Matchmaking Mimosas” are mentioned, but few appear in this installment. Fabiana (as she is Carlos’ mom) appears and I believe Hyacinth is mentioned.
This time Becks (Rebecca) Harrison-Porter and Carlos Ramirez get their story told. In addition, we meet Becks’ sweet 2-year-old daughter Pippa.
I absolutely loved the idea of a “reunited” couple for the holidays. It makes one wonder about the “what ifs” and second chances. Only in this case, it is Becks’ soccer park complex that brings Carlos back into her life – the same sport that separated them.
A fire at a building/complex Becks bought “as-is” and wasn’t up-to-code (there will be a repercussion later on that I thought wasn’t entirely fair). Carlos is injured and thus begins a second chance for the two as they both “recover”.
That’s not the only thing going on in Becks’ life – the ex-husband that took some of her career earnings is with another woman (who ironically is encouraging him to be a dad to Pippa), and Jack wants to take Pippa for a month – including Christmas. (To be honest, I think him getting either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day would’ve been more fair).
The only problem is that he hasn’t been a part of her life since she was born. Of course, something happens and Jack can’t take Pippa. That isn’t the only family issue – she’s also wondering where her “twin bond” with Natalie went.
Becks now not only has to repair the complex, but bring it up to code. She also has to worry about the funding for it.
In exchange for helping Carlos with his rehabilitation, he offers to help Becks with the code issues and also refers her to a good construction company that will work with her and not rip her off.
Becks is also worried about a contract with Kick, Goal, Score – a company known for coaching successful players in addition to soccer camps and travel leagues. A partnership with them is vital to her complex’s financial health and driving sign ups.
Becks also has to do with losing personnel due to the fire and other issues, and wondering if her dream is going to turn into a financial drain.
While working with Carlos both begin to wonder if they could get back together. Obviously, the spark is still there. But, Agler takes readers through a steady progression before getting there.
This has everything needed for a sweet Christmas romance – second chance romance, meddling family members (not the Matchmaking Mimosas this time), tree lightings, an ex-husband trying to make a new life, and pondering whether taking a big chance is worth the risk. Becks is also given an opportunity to get more involved with the sport that made her famous.
But, the real chance she wants is the one with Carlos in this darling, sweet, “perfect for the holidays” read. A read that kept my attention from the first page to the last.
Despite the length of time it took me to read this, it wasn’t a slow-burn (pardon the pun) type of read. I got distracted by some personal stuff. Otherwise, this is a sweet “weekend” type read.
Carlos and Pippa’s interaction with each other was the sweetest. And, I love how she asked him to be her daddy at one point. I also LOVED the sweetest twist involving Becks’ ex-husband and his fiancée. There is also a sweet moment with “Carlos Claus” and Pippa.
I really admired Becks keeping her married last name for her daughter. My mother did the same thing, until we opted to unofficially change mine when I was younger and she reverted back.
The only issue I had was the groundskeeper’s departure and the cause of the fire. Though, it might’ve been revealed, I thought that had a potential for exploration and another story arc.
Other than that, I’m definitely in for another return to Hollydale with the author, or wherever else she wants to go.
Those who’ve read Heroines of Hollydale and the
first two books in this series, are likely going to want to check it out. Those
who enjoy good, wholesome, clean reads will definitely enjoy it.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
– Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An award-winning author, Tanya Agler makes her home in Georgia with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable rescue beagle. When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, chocolate, and a good cup of tea.
Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyaagler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and signed copy of The Paramedic's Forever Family!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 15, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 22, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Thank you for the review, sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThe Firefighter's Christmas Promise sounds like my kind of book and I can't wait to read it!, Thanks for sharing it with me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Reading Excursions, for sharing your review!
Have an amazing weekend!
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeletethank you, Marie!
ReplyDeleteReally nice book cover design! Can't wait to read this--thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete