There was no facade or pretending a person doesn’t change in a decade. Beau and Ash get to know each other after 10 years apart. Riley Hart does this ‘sorta’ second-chance romance right. And ultimately, his journey to finding himself is the undercurrent that carries the story. What he wants, who he is, and what he is. Ash has to work through a lot of things in his head and heart. Except, Beau sees right through Ash’s front. In comparison, there is the beautifully broken Ash, who hides behind sarcasm and smiles. Beau helps coach Kenny’s football team and these scenes thawed my icy heart, it was just everything you wanted to see in a compassionate sibling relationship. Beau’s little brother, Kenny, said throughout the story that Beau was a hero and honestly, he wasn’t wrong. He continues to make endless sacrifices for his family and friends, never putting himself first, never finding his own happiness, and never falls in love. I guess the only character to start with Beau, the man with the biggest, most self-less heart around. Endlessly romantic and endearing, with a scene-stealing little brother, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Fever Falls. A tender journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance that left me with a cheesy grin on my face. This story was filled with so much depth and heart. We don’t just get each other fired up, we just might win each other’s hearts. But there’s more to Ash than meets the eye, buried beneath his ego, sarcasm and how we burn up the sheets together.

Once he finds his way into my bed, I’m screwed-in more ways than one. Though that resolution would be a whole lot easier if he wasn’t so tempting. I don’t care if our kiss years ago was responsible for my sexual awakening. But when Ash swings back into town armed with his monster ego and an arsenal of stupid nicknames, everyone is in awe of him. I’m a firefighter, and I coach my brother’s football team for those with developmental disabilities. I might’ve spent years watching Ash live out my dream-without the off-field antics and orgies with women, at least-but I’ve made a good life for myself. And I always get what I want…well, except with Beau, who constantly calls me on my crap.

Whatever magic he held over me then is still there. And right back face-to-face with Cranky Campbell, who hates me even more than he did when we were kids. Football is the one thing I use to distract myself from the truth, and when I screw-up and lose the game I love, I find myself right back in Fever Falls. If it hadn’t been for that one teenage slipup where I kissed Beau Campbell, I’d be able to keep fooling myself. If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to play the game…both on and off the field.

Fired up riley hart