Wildfire: A Novel (The Maple Hills Series)

My god I don’t know what Hannah Grace is putting in her books but I’m completely addicted!!! I absolutely LOVE Icebreaker and was worried this one wouldn’t be as good because it was set at a summer camp so I thought the amazing friend group from Icebreaker would be missing. I’m so happy that not only was that not the case (I swear I giggled every time Henry made an appearance because I’m so obsessed with him) but we also get some amazing new friends with Xander and Emilia. I honestly kinda hope we get a Xander book someday in the future. All the people we know and love from UCMH are still so involved in this story because they all love Russ so much and of course have their usual shenanigans lol Russ is such an amazing MMC and there were several times when he’d be explaining how he views his dad and their relationship because of his addiction where I just really felt seen for the first time in the way I view my own father’s addiction versus other addicts. Russ was also so great at making Rory feel wanted like she needed. He would say the sweetest things and every time he’d blush I fell more in love with him. Aurora is hilarious first of all. I would have had the exact same reaction if I felt something touch my foot in any body of water lol There were parts of Rory and her relationship with her dad that also made me feel seen. It’s rare I think to be able to relate so much to both the FMC and the MMC on something so closely related. I think that just goes to show how amazing of a writer Hannah Grace is. There’s also a scene where Jenna is telling Rory that “dad” is just a word without any action behind it and it was definitely an emotional conversation for me to read. Rory is just all around an amazing character. There definitely isn’t as much spice in this book as there is in Icebreaker. This goes from a one night stand to a slow burn. But because it’s Hannah Grace, the spice is spicing when you get to it. Finally - I’m so excited that Henry’s book is next lol Spice: 2.5/5

Wildfire is another entertaining new adult romance from Hannah Grace. Set in the world of Icebreaker, it is a light, steamy romance that’s utterly enjoyable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shy goalie Russ and seemingly flighty Aurora hook up at a Maple Hills end of the year party. But Aurora sneaks out afterwards, and doesn’t expect to see him again. Except she does, when it turns out they are both spending the summer as counselors at her beloved overnight camp. After an awkward beginning, though, it seems their biggest issue might be the camp’s staff no fraternization policy. Can they keep a lid on their growing attraction and feelings? Russ is a sweet golden retriever hero who doesn’t think he’s good enough for Aurora. And, Aurora is the commitment-phobic character who can’t fathom how to be in a relationship. While both characters have pressing family issues, it’s fun watching them bring out the best in each other. I adored their “secret for a secret” exchanges, which managed to build their relationship and show off their growing chemistry. Wildfire clearly works as a standalone story. But if you liked Icebreaker, you’ll enjoy this book too. And while Russ is a hockey player, this is a story about college students, not hockey. Sometimes a low angst book with likable characters is exactly what you are looking for in a romance, and Wildfire fits the bill. Wildfire is a light, steamy new adult romance. If you are a fan of likable college student characters with a hero who connects with actual golden retrievers, you will be entertained by this enjoyable book.

Cheers to book number 5.86 for October because (I have read 5and DNF’ed 1 at 86%)😂 • Title: #wildfire Author: @hannahgraceauthor Pub Day: October 3, 2023 Publisher: @atriabooks • I saw Icebreaker ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA before I took the jump and read it earlier this month, so it was only fitting that I read Wildfire this month too! Although Wildfire was super cute, I can definitely say that I prefer romance books deep in the sports scene (hockey, baseball, basketball), with a bit more spice. • I did really like how the female main character, Aurora, brought out the confident side of the male main character Russ. THAT DARE and SPICY JENGA!🙈😅 I’d feel all hot and bothered to Russ, so don’t be embarrassed. I also really enjoyed the #foundfamilytrope because I love seeing my favorite characters get what they deserve (especially since I do not have that in real life), so I live vicariously through them. • Overall, I’d rate the storyline/plot a ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars and the smut/spicy scenes a 🌶️🌶️/5. I am going to share some of my favorite quotes below: 1. “People mistake me being quiet for being shy, but I’m not shy. I prefer to sit and listen than be the focus of everything. There is too much pressure with being the center of attention. I’m much happier being an observer, watching from the outside”. 2. “George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson”. 3. “I have a habit of leaving a path of destruction in my wake, both literally and metaphorically…. Like a wildfire”.

I really enjoyed this read. It had characters with just enough family drama that could relate to them even though I am much older than the people in this story. Plenty of steamy romance to get the blood flowing and with out loosing the lol humor.

REVIEW: Maple Hills #2 - Wildfire, by Hannah Grace I started blindly with the audiobook. This was the first dual PoV audiobook I've listened to. Maybe the audiobook kind of got in the way for me. I'm a fast reader, and characters sound a specific way in my head. These particular narrators took me out of the story a bit. Once I switched to the e-reader, I had a better experience. I gave a max of 1 star each critical area: 1 - Characters: Russ and Aurora are loveable and endearing. They grow over time, and we still get to see some of our most beloved Maple Hills characters while meeting some new ones at camp. If you're an attachment theory fan, I'm going to guess Russ starts as a fearful avoidant, and Aurora starts as a dismissive avoidant. Disagree? Lmk! 0.5 - Plot: The main conflict was kind of hard to pin down. It felt like there were a lot of smaller conflicts, and overall we were waiting to see what Russ and Aurora would do once the summer was over, relationship-wise. It wasn't as compelling as Icebreaker, and I found that I needed to take breaks even while on my road trip because it felt too long winded at times. 1 - World building: The scenes at Maple Hills already have a well-built world. The camp and surrounding area was also well-described enough to be immersive. 1 - Originality: I haven't read a ton of non-fantasy romances. It definitely wasn't a clone of Icebreaker, and it feels very fresh due to the focus on working towards improving communication. 0.5 - Writing and flow: Something was just missing here, also mentioned in plot. I think it's that some moments felt unnecessary. Not necessarily fluff, but just not integral enough to the story, or perhaps there were too many minor plots. Spice: 3/5 - Scenes are more like sweet spicy due to the slow burn (after the initial encounter) nature of the story. - There are multiple open door scenes, but the majority of the book focuses on the tension of the MCs restraining themselves due to the rules at camp.

I didn’t realize there was more to the Maple Hills universe, and I really enjoyed Icebreaker, so to see and fall in love with more characters like them was really nice. I loved Rory and all her rambling, and I loved Russ and his quiet demeanor. I feel like they were the perfect match for each other without the outside noise. The plot and dynamic of this book was well written and never felt rushed or forced, but also never moved at a snails pace. It was a perfect story for these adorable characters

I really liked this. It was maybe too long and dragged in some parts, but overall it was sweet, funny, wholesome, and left me feeling light and happy. Would recommend in you are in the mood for some steamy m/f romance. Audio was excellent.

Came in slightly damaged! Made the quality of the book not so good anymore was very disappointing!