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lisa_me's review against another edition
5.0
This is a funny, light, entertaining read with a few mild tears so go into it with that expectation and you'll really enjoy it.
You'll fall in love with Gabe, with the squares on his stomach. His verbal foreplay is clever, funny, and sexy. Eden is also amusing, and Annelise is cute.
And we finally learn who Annelise's father is. But then, what's the definition of dad?
You'll fall in love with Gabe, with the squares on his stomach. His verbal foreplay is clever, funny, and sexy. Eden is also amusing, and Annelise is cute.
And we finally learn who Annelise's father is. But then, what's the definition of dad?
guiltlesspleasures's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is the fourth and final (for now??) book in the Hellcat Canyon series, and I am bereft. I demand books for Casey Carson (but NOT with Truck Donegal), Giorgio the cook, and Jesse (Avalon and Eden’s adventurer brother).
But anyway. I have loved all previous Hellcat Canyon books, and First Time at Firelight Falls is no exception. Eden Harwood has been a minor but notable presence up till now, including a moment when she is not very nice to Glory Greenleaf, the FMC of book 2. But here we learn why: She is a single mother who is keeping the identity of her 10yo daughter’s father a secret. For her, reputation is everything, because she is a small business owner and sole breadwinner who cares deeply about her daughter’s happiness. And we know how small town folks gossip.
So, when sparks fly between her and her daughter’s school principal, Gabe Caldera (who is a gorgeous and buff former Navy SEAL), she proceeds with caution. There is little room in her life for anything but her daughter and her business, so she doesn’t want to mess anything up. But their chemistry is blazing, and it is delicious to watch those sparks gradually turn into flames. (I will stop with the fire metaphors now, but 🔥!)
As with all Julie Anne Long’s books, this is full of heat, emotion and laugh-out-loud moments. Eden is a fierce FMC and Gabe is tasty, and we get just the right amount of the other Harwoods, who seem like the bestest family.
My one slight quibble is that there is a lot of on-page parenting, which I felt a little impatient with, probably because I have to do so much of my own. 😩
But if it is indeed the last of JAL’s contemporary series (and I really hope it’s not), it was a truly worthy conclusion.
fischer5310's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
the_castle_library's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
It was so cute and a little hot! I totally predicted what the hiccup was gonna be and some of it didn't go how I predicted after and some of it did. I found out after finishing it that this is book #4 of the Hellcat Canyon Novels. I like the writing style, so I'll be checking out books #1-3 when I've gone through the loot I already have. The books don't seem to link, they're just all in the same town. My rating for overall romance and spice are 💖💖💖💖/🌶️🌶️
sydinreallife's review against another edition
2.0
I don't think I realized when I purchased this book from Libro that it was the 4th in a series haha Love when that happens. This was a cute, run-of-the-mill girl meets boy. Single parent drama ensues when the absent father comes back into town - after all, our couple had to break up at some point right? The romance was pretty quick.. I prefer more of a slow burn. Overall, it wasn't a horrible read, but it certainly wasn't anything to write home about.
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
Charming contemporary romance between a single mother and a school principal set in a highly unrealistic but incredibly appealing town in Northern California. And hallelujah, for the first time someone in this series actually used contraception (although it does blow my theory that Hellcat Canyon is actually an alternative contraceptiveless universe). I liked it, I liked the characters especially the specificity of the young daughter who is endearing but also felt real to me.
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not generally into the small town book, but this was charming and surprisingly moving. It's nice to see grownups dealing with grownup problems without the manufactured misunderstandings. I still like Long's historicals better but this was a good read.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
The First Time at Firelight Falls by Julie Long is a sassy romance that is brimming with humor and playful verbal sparring. This fourth installment in the Hellcat Canyon series can easily be read as a standalone.
Principal Gabe Caldera has a huge crush on single mom Eden Harwood whose ten year daughter Anneliese's precocious antics are the reason they are currently meeting in his office. He has noticed the vibrant and lively woman on numerous occasions and he becomes more smitten with her at every encounter. Eden is not unaware of the smoldering, sexy former Navy SEAL but she does not have enough hours in her busy schedule to breathe let alone date. However, she is delighted and charmed by Gabe's flirtatious banter and both of them are soon going out of their way to cross paths with each other whenever possible. Their flirty repartee soon leads to passion filled romps but just as they are about to take their stolen moments to the next level, Eden's distant past crashes headlong into her present and Gabe is uncertain where he fits into her life.
When Eden's one night stand resulted in an unexpected pregnancy ten years earlier, she returned to Hellcat Canyon to make a life for herself and her unborn child. Her extended family is a huge help as she juggles the demands of motherhood and running her flower shop. Eden has completely and utterly devoted herself to making sure Anneliese has a safe, secure, and well-ordered life. Until meeting Gabe, she has not missed dating but their humor-filled discussions quickly wake her slumbering libido. Despite a few reservations, Eden is ready to see where their unexpected relationship might lead.
Gabe is insightful, clever and his astute observations serve him well in his much loved career as a principal. He adroitly balances his busy life but he has very little downtime. He has secretly admired Eden for quite some time and now actively seeking her out, Gabe engages her in provocative discussions that end with well designed cliffhangers to stimulate her curiosity.
With their interrupted conversations constantly on her mind, Eden eagerly anticipates seeing Gabe and their interactions soon lead to some very steamy make out sessions. Unable to resist their sizzling hot attraction for one another, they are soon stealing every spare minute they find to indulge in some very hot lovemaking. Gabe finally convinces Eden to give him a chance but a shocking complication quickly derails their budding romance since neither of them handle the unexpected situation well. When the dust finally settles, will Gabe and Eden find a way to get their relationship back on track?
The First Time at Firelight Falls is a sweet, sensual and giggle inducing small town romance. Eden and Gabe are a wonderful couple with plenty of sexual tension crackling between them. The conflict that arises between them is somewhat predictable but their issues are resolved fairly quickly. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this fourth installment in Julie Long's delightfully charming Hellcat Canyon series.
Principal Gabe Caldera has a huge crush on single mom Eden Harwood whose ten year daughter Anneliese's precocious antics are the reason they are currently meeting in his office. He has noticed the vibrant and lively woman on numerous occasions and he becomes more smitten with her at every encounter. Eden is not unaware of the smoldering, sexy former Navy SEAL but she does not have enough hours in her busy schedule to breathe let alone date. However, she is delighted and charmed by Gabe's flirtatious banter and both of them are soon going out of their way to cross paths with each other whenever possible. Their flirty repartee soon leads to passion filled romps but just as they are about to take their stolen moments to the next level, Eden's distant past crashes headlong into her present and Gabe is uncertain where he fits into her life.
When Eden's one night stand resulted in an unexpected pregnancy ten years earlier, she returned to Hellcat Canyon to make a life for herself and her unborn child. Her extended family is a huge help as she juggles the demands of motherhood and running her flower shop. Eden has completely and utterly devoted herself to making sure Anneliese has a safe, secure, and well-ordered life. Until meeting Gabe, she has not missed dating but their humor-filled discussions quickly wake her slumbering libido. Despite a few reservations, Eden is ready to see where their unexpected relationship might lead.
Gabe is insightful, clever and his astute observations serve him well in his much loved career as a principal. He adroitly balances his busy life but he has very little downtime. He has secretly admired Eden for quite some time and now actively seeking her out, Gabe engages her in provocative discussions that end with well designed cliffhangers to stimulate her curiosity.
With their interrupted conversations constantly on her mind, Eden eagerly anticipates seeing Gabe and their interactions soon lead to some very steamy make out sessions. Unable to resist their sizzling hot attraction for one another, they are soon stealing every spare minute they find to indulge in some very hot lovemaking. Gabe finally convinces Eden to give him a chance but a shocking complication quickly derails their budding romance since neither of them handle the unexpected situation well. When the dust finally settles, will Gabe and Eden find a way to get their relationship back on track?
The First Time at Firelight Falls is a sweet, sensual and giggle inducing small town romance. Eden and Gabe are a wonderful couple with plenty of sexual tension crackling between them. The conflict that arises between them is somewhat predictable but their issues are resolved fairly quickly. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this fourth installment in Julie Long's delightfully charming Hellcat Canyon series.
jcmbank's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
Single mom meets the new school principal/former navy seal and sparks fly.
I really liked how these two went for it. His anger over the secret of her ex was over the top but overall it was an easy read.
I really liked how these two went for it. His anger over the secret of her ex was over the top but overall it was an easy read.