Down in Flames (Hot in Chicago Rookies 2) by Kate Meader-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 6, 2022

It was supposed to be a random hookup.

At a crossroads, my life a hot mess, I swiped right on the guy with the washboard abs and the tree-trunk thighs. His handle was Holt (yeah, really) but as soon as he opened the door, I recognized him: Hudson Grey, the hottest prospect in pro-hockey and apparently, secretly playing for my team. Not mind-blowing enough? He needed someone to punch his V-card and I was only too happy to volunteer as tribute . . .

Then he ghosted me when it got to be too much.

A year later, my life is back on track and I’m a candidate firefighter at legendary Engine 6. While I might be new to the Chicago Fire Department, I’m a veteran in the game of steamy hookups. My No. 1 rule? No newbies. Except now Hudson has been traded to my hometown team, the Chicago Rebels, and he’s out, proud, and ready to date. And he wants my help introducing him to the local gay scene.

My messy past means I’m the worst guy to be mentoring the shy, sexy jock. But neither can I stand by and watch while others touch the man who already feels like mine.

I might have been his first, but I’m about to learn that the new guy has even more to teach me about hunger, hope, and falling hard . . .

••••••

REVIEW: DOWN IN FLAMES is the third instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult HOT IN CHICAGO ROOKIES erotic, hockey romance series-a spin off from the author’s HOT IN CHICAGO series. This is twenty two year old, professional hockey player Hudson Grey, and twenty-four year old fire fighter Jude Torres’ story line. DOWN IN FLAMES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. There is a slight cross over with the author’s CHICAGO REBELS hockey series.

NOTE: DOWN IN FLAMES focuses on a MM sexual relationship with graphic same $ex situations.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hudson and Jude) DOWN IN FLAMES follows in the wake of a one-night stand between Chicago Rebels hockey player Hudson Grey, and Jude Torres. Hudson Grey had yet to come out, and a one-night stand with a stranger he met on an app gave Hudson hope for the future but Hudson struggled with his sexuality, and ghosted the man with whom he would fall in love. Fast forward eighteen months wherein Jude Torres, now a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department comes face to face with Hudson Grey but Hudson refuses to admit to their previous encounter. A dark past shrouded in a number of misgivings finds Jude struggling with his personal life, believing himself unworthy of his own happily ever after. What ensues is the second chance romance between Jude and Hudson, and the potential fall-out as the past takes aim at Jude Torres, threatening his future with the CFD and the man that he loves.

The relationship between Jude and Hudson is one of second chances. Hudson battled between head and heart fearing reprisal from his teammates and fans but it was Jude’s past that was about to threaten every good intention, revealing a darkness very few knew little about. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including several of Hudson’s teammates and Jude’s fellow firefighters from all four of Kate Meader’s interconnected series. We are introduced to Hudson’s parents Lucy and Benjamin, as well as Jude’s friends Milo and Axel.

DOWN IN FLAMES is a story of family and friendships, sexual awakening and sexual awareness, acceptance and love. The premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are charismatic and real.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one UP IN SMOKE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Haven’t started the series? Book one UP IN SMOKE is ONLY 99¢

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Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.