Review: Like the series, but this entry? not so much.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 6, 2014
The PremiseThe third book in the Firefighters of Darling Bay series focuses on Samantha, the sister of the heroine from the first book.  She comes back to town after many years and a serious alcohol/substance abuse problem.  She’s straightened herself out and is giving self-defense classes so that she can help other women in Darling Bay feel empowered and able to defend themselves.  Hank Coffee, a firefighter and friend of the hero from the first book, has a history with Samantha.  A history where he loved her, and she left him to find adventure.My ThoughtsI had needed a light and easy romance to delve into after the last few books I’d read so I was ready to indulge in this small town romance.  I was initially drawn to this series in part because I like the little world Ms. Ashe has created and its quirky characters. The firefighter aspect isn’t bad either.  Hank and Samantha have a history that I think made it kind of difficult for me to get into them.  I felt through much of it that she wasn’t as into it as he was.  Now I can handle that if the chemistry is off the charts, but I didn’t feel that here.  Even at the end, I didn’t quite buy her love for him.  As a consequence, I didn’t connect with them and didn’t buy the HEA.The Bottom LineI still like the series, but I don’t think this was the strongest entry in it.