Title: To Heaven Resembled, 2nd edition
Series: Some Like it Hot
Author: Pepper Espinoza
Genre: Contemporary/Fire fighters
Length: Novella (63 pages)
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books (October 6th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts
Blurb: Fire fighter Lance Stuart is minding his own business when a man on the street stops him with a simple expression of gratitude. He falls into the conversation with the man, and learns that Jakob is far more than what one might expect from a busker. For starters, he’s gorgeous. He’s also funny, charming, and flirty. Lance immediately wants to get to know him better.
Jakob Fox spends his days performing on the sidewalk and his evenings in various coffee shops and clubs, reading his poetry. But he always takes the time to thank fire fighters when he sees them. He knows first-hand how much fire fighters risk and what they sacrifice. His father was a New York fire fighter, until he died in the line of duty. As a result, Jakob can show his appreciation, but he always keeps his emotional distance—from everybody. He also suffers from almost debilitating anxiety.
He wants to be with Lance, but he can’t handle the emotional stress of being with a fire fighter. Jakob needs to decide if they have a future, or if he should just walk away.
ISBN: 978-1-62210-154-2
Product Link: http://www.lsbooks.com/to-heaven-resembled-p957.php
Reviewer: Prime
Review: This isn’t a hardcore read, it is rather relaxing. It probably helps that both main characters are extremely likable guys. In fact, Jakob is an absolute sweetheart. He’s easy going sort of person, sweet and sensitive. He performs his poetry most nights and busks for fun (playing his guitar). He also has the totally adorable (and kind) habit of saying thanks to every fire fighter he sees, all because his father died on the job as a fire fighter when Jakob was 13.
Lance is not as sweet as Jakob but still very likable. He’s the fire fighter that Jakob thanks for his service. Strong and reliable, compassionate and understanding, Lance only wants to help people, and has a heart of gold. The two seem polar opposites, but neither of them cares about that when there is chemistry between them! And there certainly is chemistry between the couple!
The plot reveals a reluctant Jakob trying to get over his hang up about dating fire fighters. This is where Lance’s compassionate nature comes in and where it’s obvious that Pepper Espinoza really knew what she was doing when she created these characters. The emotions of Jakob and Lance also come through in the text, which is always great and there are both some steamy and tender scenes between them.
This relatively short story is full of character background – very satisfying to read – as well as a steady pace plot as the uncertain couple try to figure things out. The ending seemed a bit rushed, but that was all right, the resolution was nice and left me satisfied nonetheless. This is the type of story that I think would be hard not to enjoy on some level and probably will leave many wanting more.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *