Ignite (ARC)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: November 22, 2021

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

My new neighbor is a firefighter- and a scorching hot single dad- but I swear I didn't set off the smoke alarm on purpose. 

(And I was beyond mortified when he rushed in and saw me naked.)

Nothing happened, of course- because I, Winnie MacAllister, romance junkie and owner of a constantly broken heart, have sworn off men for one solid year.

Even protective men with chiseled jaws, bulging biceps, and deep brown eyes that make my breath come faster. Even former SEALs with broad chests and strong hands that make my skin sizzle. Even gorgeous, grumpy guys who have their hands full raising two adorable little girls and claim they don't believe in love.

Until Dex kisses me one night, and I drop all my defenses. 

(Also, my underwear.)

He says he's not gently, and he's right. He says I should take the dream job I'm offered in another state, and he's right. He says he's too old for me and could never be the man I deserve.

He's wrong. 

Dex and I might be twelve years apart, but the fire between us is the kind that will never burn out. 

How can I convince him to give happily-ever-after with me a chance?

Review:

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Spoilers ahead.

5 stars for this next generation first book from Melanie Harlow. There were so many things that I loved about his book, especially the special appearances and mentions of some of our favorite Harlow characters from books past. 

This story follows Frannie and Mack's (Irresistible) daughter, Winnie and Dex, a former Navy SEAL turned firefighter. The parallels between Irresistible and this book were great and it was adorable that Melanie actually wrote calling it out into the story.

"Well good for you. I think it's-" Suddenly my sister stopped talking and burst out laughing. 'What's so funny?' I asked. 

"Oh my God, you don't see it?' She shook her head, her eyes tearing up. 'You have a crush on Dad, Winnie!' 

My spine snapped straight. "I do not!' "

Yes, you do- ex-military, divorced single dad with daughters, swears too much."

This book was a mixture of tropes that always capture my attention; single dad, hot neighbor, grumpy/sunshine, age gap and friends with benefits. One thing I worried about was the fact that it is a next generation book. In my experience, these can be hit or miss. Sometimes a storyline is used again and it falls flat, or there's just not enough connection with the new generation as there was with the originals. I'm thrilled to say that Melanie Harlow did a phenomenal job with Winnie's story. There was just enough from the original characters to let us remember how we fell in love with them, but not too much that we couldn't focus on the love story unfolding. 

Hallie and Luna, Dex's daughters, stole the scene anytime they were in the picture and I absolutely adored their banter and interactions with Dex especially. Each scene that started with them talking about Dex while he was sleeping warmed my heart and made me chuckle. 

"It's too early for wondering.' I told her. 'No wondering before six a.m. That's the rule"

    "You can't just turn off wondering, Daddy. It's not like a TV."

"Can I at least mute it?"

The chemistry between Winnie and Dex was hot, hot, hot! There was no lack of tension between the two, but of course sex was never their problem. The problem remained that after a marriage where Dex was told he was a bad husband, he didn't feel like he could be what Winnie needed and deserved. While their time apart was short, it hurt my heart to read about how even after admitting to loving one another, Dex just couldn't seem to get over his past and commit the way they both wanted. The absolute BEST scene in the entire book happens when he finally realizes he needs her in his life and is ready to make a grand gesture (with the encouragement of his daughters.) I laughed out loud at the scene when, after proclaiming his love and dropping to his knees to beg for another chance he realizes his mistake. 

"That's when I heard a feminine voice come out of the darkness behind me.

    "Hey, Winnie? Yeah, it's Audrey. There's some guy across the street yelling at the Wilsons' house, but I think he's talking to you.

Oh, fuck."

I was beyond excited to receive this ARC and was fangirling with the best of them. I went into this with high hopes and expectations and am overjoyed to say that they held up and I adored this book. This was a strong start to the series following the next generation and I'm excited to see who's next. Fingers crossed it's Ellie, Mia and Lucas' (Frenched) daughter and Gianni Lupo, son of Nick and Coco (Forked). 

While this does have appearances from Melanie's prior books, it can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading all of her books!