Playing with Fire

I have loved both Jamison and Maddie since the first book in this series. He seemed so real. He has flaws and he makes mistakes. But, he learns from them. They help him become a better man. Her marriage ended horribly and she is very wary of ever loving again. She has feelings for Jamison but is trying to ignore them. Jamison and Maddie have been friends since they were children. One night is all it takes for them to realize that they both want so much more! This friends to lovers story is hot from the get go. I read it in one sitting and wished for more when I got to the end!

Oh, I loved this. Where to start....this was hinted at in the last book, which made me want to read this story ASAP! (But it can 100% be read as a standalone.) This is almost a second-chance romance, kind of a best friends to enemies to lovers. Just really big on the feels. It's always great heading back to Bliss River. It's more HEAs for all the past characters. Very fulfilling. As usual, the writing is excellent. Great world-building and character development. Funny parts, feeling parts, conflict and awesome resolution. Teddy Hamilton & Lili Valente are two of my favorite narrators. Teddy reminds me of Christian Slater. The narration was smooth and delightful.

Playing with Fire is a fun, hot and sexy addition to Lili Valente’s Hometown Heat series. We met Maddie and Jamison in the first two books of this series, and finally they get a book of their own. Maddie and Jamison have known each other since they were children and have been friends for as long as they can remember. When they unexpectedly bump into each other on a weekend getaway, with the help of some shots of whiskey, Jamison and Maddie can’t deny the attraction they share which leads to a hot passionate night spent in each other’s arms. When the morning comes, they both admit they’d like to see more of each other. They both agree to keep their relationship a secret for the time being, but the more time they spend together, the deeper and stronger their love grows. But when the past rears its head, is Jamison and Maddie’s love strong enough to survive the unfortunate mistake that comes to light and surrender to the love they feel with one another? Playing with Fire is a perfectly written romance. It has just the right amount of sexy and steamy moments, a tiny bit of angst and lots of fun and entertaining moments. This is a beautifully written love story that made my heart swoon. I love Maddie and Jamison’s story. Playing with Fire is part of Lili Valente’s Hometown Heat series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Playing with Fire has everything I’ve come to expect from a Lili Valente book: a swoony hero, a fierce heroine, heartwarming romance, steamy love scenes, and lots of laugh-out-loud moments. I’ve been looking forward to Jamison’s story since he stole the show at the auction in book one. And it did not disappoint. Since he and Maddie have been lifelong friends, things between them moved pretty quickly. Like the rest of the series, their journey was a fun ride. It was such a joy to be back in Bliss River. And props to my girl Dawn for being a great friend and saying all the things I wanted to say, but couldn’t do through a book.