Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Playing with Fire (Hot in Chicago #2)
by Kate Meader




From popular romance author Kate Meader comes the second novel in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!


As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, Alexandra Dempsey gets it from all sides: the male coworkers who think she can’t do the job, the wives and girlfriends who see her as a threat to their firefighter men, and her overprotective foster brothers who want to shelter their baby sister at all costs. So when she single-handedly saves the life of Eli Cooper, Chicago’s devastatingly handsome mayor, she assumes the respect she’s longed for will finally come her way. But it seems Mr. Mayor has other ideas…



Eli Cooper’s mayoral ratings are plummeting, his chances at reelection dead in the water. When a sexy, curvaceous firefighter gives him the kiss of life, she does more than bring him back to the land of the living—she also breathes vitality into his campaign. Riding the wave of their feel-good story might prop up Eli’s flagging political fortunes, but the sizzling attraction between them can go nowhere; he’s her boss, and there are rules that must be obeyed. But you know what they say about rules: they’re made to be broken…







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I knew I wanted to read this book. I read Flirting With Fire and the novella Melting Point and enjoyed the characters and their banter a whole bunch. However, I don't think you need to read them to love Playing With Fire. This is a book that you are going to want to read in one sitting (who needs sleep when you love reading?). It has great chemistry, great humor and very sexy scenes!

Eli Copper is the Major of Chicago. He has a thing for firefighter Alexandra Dempsey. A thing he tries to fight with every fiber of his body. You see, Eli believes that he can't be with Alex because technically he's her boss. He knows that Alex pushes all his buttons. She either make him want to wring her neck or he wants to make passionate love to her. He really can't decide. When the perfect excuse comes up to spend more alone time with her, he can't seem to stay away any longer. Like a moth, he's attracted to the light. But, he might just get burned....

Alexandra Dempsey is the only adoptive daughter of a family of firefighters. She's impetuous, determined, brave and extremely loyal to her family. She would do anything for them, including fake-dating the pompous pretty boy major. Yes, he might be incredible attractive but who wants to be with him, right? 

It makes it harder for Alex and Eli to have a real relationship when the Dempseys don't see eye to eye with the Major, for several reasons. Which brings me to another point I want to make. This family is amazing! Tempers run hot (Luke and Alex), guys are too hot (all of them), one is keeping secrets (Wyatt) and the heroines are smart and sassy. 

I tell you, this is a good series with incredible chemistry and banter.


“Forty pounds of equipment up a gazillion flights of stairs. Not only can she save the lives of men twice her size before she’s had breakfast, but I would happily put my safety in her hands and trust that she could crush the nuts of anyone who tried to harm me.”


Cliffhanger: No

4.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.




I have never read any books by Kate Meader before, and after reading this book, I know I will be reading books by her in the future. Kate's writing in this book was so addictive. I read this book in one sitting. I seriously could not put it down. I was surprised with how funny this book was! I laughed out loud so many times because of how sassy Alex was. 

I started off hating Eli. I hated the way he viewed women and how he seemed to do whatever he wanted. However, I slowly fell in love with him just like Alex did. It was nice to see his character develop as he opened up to Alex. I went through the same issues Alex did, because I also hated him and loved him at the same time. Eli was just so infuriatingly sexy that I couldn't help but fall in love with him over time.

I really liked the romance between Eli and Alex because it felt naturally paced. It was so much fun to watch Eli try and win Alex over. Their chemistry was off the charts! This lead to some steamy sex scenes. I liked that the sex scenes were not overly done and that they did not take over the entire book. 


Alex and Eli both made some dumb choices that annoyed me. Eli would act like a prick and keep secrets, and Alex would overreact and be immature. However, those things aside, I really loved this book. I definitely will continue to read this series, and I will have to go back and read the book before this one. I think anyone who loves steamy romances will adore this book. 

4 - 4.5 / 5 Fangs

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.* 






Once again Kate Meader blows me away with her fantastic storytelling.

Alexandra Dempsey is a female firefighter for the CFD.  She’s not your typical woman.  She’s loud, compulsive and has absolutely no filter. When she gets under Mayor Eli Cooper’s skin sparks fly. 

Eli doesn’t believe women should be in the CFD because they aren’t as physically strong as men.  Will these two complete opposites be able to resist each other? Or will their opposite attitudes make them fall for each other even harder?

**

I really, REALLY loved this book.  Alex is such a strong heroine (even though her mouth gets her in a lot of trouble). She’s loyal to a fault and fiercely protective of her family.  But she wants more in live, she’s tired of the dates and wants to find her one true love.

When she gets around Eli you can instantly tell that she despises the man. With his misogynistic views of women, Alex is constantly giving him hell.  One of my favorite things when reading is when the two main characters that constantly go head-to-head. It keeps the story flowing at such a quick pace.

“Why wouldn’t you be interested in me, Alexandra? I’m told I’m quite the catch.”

She snorted.  “If you’re looking to reel in a great white shark.”

One thing I love about this series is the fierceness of the family. Alex and her foster siblings would move mountains for each other.  I love their protectiveness and their openness and humor.  I’m so excited to read the next book about another sibling.

If you’re looking for a super fun, super sweet and sexy read you have to check out this fantastic series by Kate Meader.  You’ll be entertained until the very last page!

4/5 FANGS
*complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

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