Book Review: The Fireman Who Loved Me by Jennifer Bernard

Title: The Fireman Who Loved Me (Amazon)
Series: The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel, #1
Author: Jennifer Bernard
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: Edelweiss
Published: April 24, 2012 by Avon

Captain Brody has been badly burned by his ex-wife. When he orders Ryan, his star fireman, to participate in a bachelor auction, little does he know he’s the one who will lose his heart.

Melissa McGuire is a brainy local news producer trying to get her career back on track. She can’t believe she’s being set up by her grandmother, who bid on a date with a fireman at the auction. She prefers the artsy type, not the tough, commanding , though clearly attractive, fire chief.

And yet, they can’t resist each other, especially once her ambitious news anchor assigns her the “Thanksgiving with the Firefighters” news special. Add in her grandmother’s matchmaking and the combined efforts of Captain Brody’s crew…can Brody help being the first bachelor to succumb to love, and the crazy rollercoaster ride of the Curse?

Why I Read this Book: The last firemen series I read, The Firemen of Station Five series by Jo Davis, I thoroughly enjoyed. That series was hot and steamy plus there was a little suspense added into the mix. Ever since, I’ve been on the lookout for more romance novels featuring a fireman hero. So when I came across The Fireman Who Loved Me, I had to read it. Who can resist a firefighter? *points to self* Not this vixen.

What I Liked: The main story arc struck gold with me. Nelly, Melissa’s grandmother, bids on a firefighter at the bachelor auction. (Hello? How did I not know about these auctions when I was a single lady?) Nelly then sets up Melissa on a date with the hunk she won. Nelly, bless her heart, was trying to ‘help’ her granddaughter in finding ‘the one’ before she (Nelly) kicked the bucket. And time was running out. Nelly was hoot!

The Brody/Melissa match up might have been a little too much of a coincidence but I liked it. Brody was a good man and a good Captain.

One character I loved to hate was Ella Joy. Damn, she was annoying. But she was well-written so I have to give kudos for that. Speaking of secondary characters, I spy with my little eye some great potential future heros and heroines for this series. In fact, I really hope that One and Two (the firewomen at the station) get their own books.

What I Didn’t Like: One of my reading pet peeves, especially in romance novels, is the lack of protection during intercourse. The first couple of times the hero and heroine do the horizontal mambo, they used a condom. After that, nothing. Zip. Zilch. And there was no talk about it either - no mention of Melissa being on the pill, no mention of the forgotten step of protection, nada. Heros – put a raincoat on it!

While I did end up liking Melissa’s character, it took me a while for her to grow on me. She was no fun in the beginning. If my grandmother presented me with a firefighter, who am I to decline? You jump on that opportunity like white on rice.

The Rebecca/Thorval story arc was too over the top.  I get that there needed to be a pebble in Melissa and Brody’s shoe but the drama was too much and so out there. And speaking of story arcs, there seemed to have been quite a few of them going on in this book.

Deep fried turkey, at a fire station? I thought firefighters frowned upon this particular cooking method…?

And what was with Brody getting his panties all twisted over the news report on the fire at City Hall? I get that the news can stretch the truth a bit but he got all worked up about it.

Memorable Moment:

Grandmother Nelly giving it to Melissa straight:

“Oh, that fancy career of yours. You think your career is going to take care of you when you’re my age?

“As a matter of fact, yes. My IRA-“

“I don’t want to hear about your IRA. It’s not going to drive you to the pharmacy, it’s not going to rub your feet, or change your colostomy bag.”

Melissa’s reaction when her grandmother tells her that the date with the fireman is for her (Melissa):

“Don’t you think he might be disappointed when I show up, instead of the sweet charming old hag he’s expecting?"

Overall Impression: The Fireman Who Loved Me was an enjoyable read. I didn’t take it too seriously so it was fun. I’m anxious to read the next book in this series and I hope it carries me away. I think this series has promise if the drama element is toned down a notch. Each book in the series will feature a different fireman and I’m ready for them!

Brianna’s Rating: