REVIEW: Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey

In Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey, Lydia Kincaid isn’t happy about returning to her hometown, when her sister asks for her help in tending the family bar, so she can take some time off. What she thinks will be an easy job, soon becomes her worst nightmare. Since dealing with the many firefighters visiting the bar, is something she’d rather avoid. Yet, the moment her brother’s best friend, Aidan, walks in, she soon realizes maybe it’s time to move on. He’s charming enough, to possibly begin to make her forgive, and forget the biggest mistake of her past.

Aidan Hunt knows his life wouldn’t have turned out the way it has, without the support the Kincaid family have given him over the years. So pursuing a relationship with Lydia should be far from his mind, yet he can’t stop thinking about her, from the moment he spies her working behind the family bar. What starts off as a little flirting, becomes so much more. Yet, their determination to keep their relationship secret; could cause a permanent rift not only between them, but everyone they care for, if someone were to learn the truth.

I haven’t read a book by this author in a little while, which is a shame, because as always Ms. Stacey delivered a wonderful read. I liked the steady pace of the plot, the brother’s best friend trope, and the fact that this couple faces a very uphill battle, if they’re to have any chance of a future. The dialogue was intense at times, as Lydia struggles to deal with her anger towards firefighters. But there were also softer moments to, where Lydia and Aidan teased each other. Almost as if they were playing some sort of game, to see which one would surrender to their chemistry first. Be the one to offer that first kiss that I just knew would happen sooner rather than later.

Lydia and Aidan are two very compelling characters. The fact that he’s a firefighter and her dislike for those in the profession makes for interesting reading. As it had me incessantly question what had made her that way, and whether she could overcome her fears. The latter being one of the main reasons why this book was so engrossing. Because with her back story, I wasn’t certain her love for Aidan was going to be enough in the end.

Several sizzling sex scenes appeared throughout this book, hot enough that I thought my kindle might go up in flames. Their chemistry was memorizing, and would make many women yearn, for the kind of relationship these two have. What I liked most about both characters was that they pursued a relationship anyway, even knowing the dire consequences if anyone was to learn the truth.

Lastly, this was a really good read, of which I enjoyed the minor story being told within this one, concerning the relationship of two of the secondary characters. Since that minor story had some influence on Lydia’s decisions. I would recommend this book to all romance readers, and those especially that love the brother’s best friend trope, containing a sexy man in uniform.

Book Info:

Publication: August 25th, 2o15 | Carina Press | Boston Fire #1

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.