Review: Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey

Heat Exchange
Author: Shannon Stacey
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: A

What I’m Talking About:

Shannon Stacey starts strong with the first book in her new Boston Fire contemporary romance series. Bringing her trademark small town feel to a big city fire department, Ms. Stacey creates a world full of wonderful characters and a story filled with passion and charm.

Lydia Kincaid comes from a family full of firefighters, was even married to one, and that’s something she tried to escape when she moved from Boston to Concord, NH, after a bitter divorce. However, when her sister, Ashley, calls and asks her to come home to help their retired dad run his bar so she can deal with her own marital issues, Lydia packs up and heads home. Now she finds herself right where she was trying to avoid, and falling for her little brother’s best friend, Aidan.

Scotty Kincaid is like a brother to Aidan Hunt, so Aiden shouldn’t have feelings for Scott’s big sister. However, when Lydia returns home, Aiden decides it’s worth the risk to kiss Lydia. Now he is lying to his best friend, and he’s lying to himself if he thinks he can keep his feelings under wraps.

I absolutely adored almost every moment of Heat Exchange. The characters and their stories grabbed me from the start, and I couldn’t put the book down. Lydia and Aidan’s romance was heartfelt and genuine. The fact that they “shouldn’t be together” gave the entire story an added urgency and edge. However, it is the depth of their emotional growth and their sincere passion that stole the show. Ms. Stacey created likable, relatable characters that gave my own heart a tug a few times. It helps that Aiden is everything a girl could want: sexy, alpha, yet gentle and loving. He’s got great communications skills, and he helps Lydia get past what her ex did to her emotional well being.

Additionally, the side story of Ashley and her husband Danny’s separation gave added depth to the book. I like the parallels and differences drawn between their marriage and what Lydia has gone through. Ashley also brings the voice of honesty to Lydia, even when she doesn’t always want to hear it.

All in all, Heat Exchange brings together a handful of entertaining and well-written stories, with three-dimensional, enjoyable characters at its core. Other than one too many outrageously awful parents that I could have done without, the book flows well and is utterly delightful. Aiden and Lydia have great chemistry; I loved their tension and heat. The character development and dialogue is top notch, creating an all around fabulous read. I cannot wait to see what’s next for the crew of Boston Fire.

My Rating: A, Loved It

About the Book:

Lydia Kincaid’s shipping back to Boston, but she’s not happy about it. She left to get away from the firefighting community—her father was a firefighter, her brother’s a firefighter and, more important, her ex is a firefighter. But family is number one, and her father needs her help running the pub he bought when he retired. Soon, Lydia finds it hard to resist the familiar comfort and routine, and even harder to resist her brother’s handsome friend Aidan. 

Aidan Hunt is a firefighter because of the Kincaid family. He’s had the hots for Lydia for years, but if ever a woman was off-limits to him, it’s her. Aside from being his mentor’s daughter, she’s his best friend’s sister. The ex-wife of a fellow firefighter. But his plan to play it cool until she leaves town again fails, and soon he and Lydia have crossed a line they can’t uncross. 

As Aidan and Lydia’s flirtation turns into something more serious, Lydia knows she should be planning her escape. Being a firefighter’s wife was the hardest thing she’s ever done, and she doesn’t know if she has the strength to do it again. Aidan can’t imagine walking away from Boston Fire—even for Lydia. The job and the brotherhood are his life; but if he wants Lydia in it, he’ll have to decide who’s first in his heart.

Release Date: August 25, 2015
Publisher: Carina Press
Series: Boston Fire #1
ISBN: #978-0373002788
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (336 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley

Purchase Info:
Heat Exchange (Boston Fire #1)