Friday, April 30, 2021

Up in Smoke (Hotshots #4) by Annabeth Albert

 







Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career—and his own happiness—on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday—and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: he very well might be a dad.

Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind—even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.





My Rating - 4 Stars!


Up in Smoke is the fourth book in the Hotshots series by Annabeth Albert. It's easily read as a standalone. 
I love this series, but I struggle with this one. 

Brandt and Shane are reunited when Shane shows up with Brandt's baby in tow. With baby Jewel being abandoned by Shane's sister, suddenly the two men are left with a baby. 

There are a lot of readers who don't like siblings sleeping with the same person. If you are one who hates that, run from this book. 

Personally, I can overlook the sibling thing, but I wish they had met when Shane shows up with the baby, and not the year before. I think that would have helped me connect with them more as a couple. 

They're hot together, but it all falls a little flat for me. The baby stuff is good, both sweet and cute. I love the way they are with Jewel. I enjoy how easily their lives and priorities change. 

Family is a large aspect here, with two men who both never had their feet firmly planted in a family unit. With Jewel, and the two falling in love, they find themselves with a family for once. 

I usually love the author's writing style. Written in alternating first person pov, with a pleasant tone, and plenty of humor, it's an easy read. But this one definitely is slow and drags a bit. I found myself skimming during the middle. 

I think I found myself waiting for a scary moment for Brandt with his job, like we've seen before, but that never happens. 

Overall, Up in Smoke is a good read. This Annabeth Albert book is my least favorite in the series as far as the romance is concerned, but I still enjoy it. 



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