Hot to the Touch
Brotherhood by Fire, Book #1
By Jaci Burton
ISBN# 9780399585180
Author’s Website: https://jaciburton.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
*Beware of possible spoilers*
Jackson, Kal, and Rafe all came from different families. However, all three found themselves homeless trying to traverse the foster care system when they were kids. They all have their own horror stories to share. They learned that it was better to live on their own on the streets then take their chances with the horrors of foster care. They formed a group of homeless kids that banded together to stay alive. Jackson, as the oldest, took on the leadership role and took his job of keeping everyone safe very seriously. That’s why he took it so hard when he and his “brothers” nearly died in a fire in an empty house they had taken refuge in one stormy night. His brothers didn’t want to go in the house, but he made them and it nearly cost them everything.
However, they were saved that night by a fireman, Josh Donovan. Josh and his wife traversed the system and took all three of the boys home with them, becoming their foster parents. They later adopted the boys making them real brothers and giving them a real family.
Now the boys are all grown up and have followed in their dad’s footsteps and became firemen themselves. Jackson is still a leader as he’s now a lieutenant with the fire department and works with his brothers.
The three never expected the blast from the past they received when they went on a call of a local tattoo parlor. Jackson pulls a woman out of the building, a woman he doesn’t recognize, but one his brothers do. Becks was a part of their homeless group when they were younger and she had a crush on Jackson at the time. So it hurt all over again when she realized he didn’t remember her all these years later.
Becks is now homeless again as her apartment above her shop is no longer safe. The boys quickly decide to let her stay with them in the recently vacated extra room they have at their house until she can get back on her feet.
Jackson proves to be short-tempered where Becks is concerned, and nobody, including his brothers, can figure out why. But when you’re a person that has buried the past instead of facing it, the last thing you want is a piece that you buried to pop up in front of your face!
This is the first book from this new series, and I do like some smoking hot firemen, so I had to give this novel a try! I did enjoy this story and it’s completely different from Burton’s Play-by-Play series that I’ve been reading. Although I could see this series, ending up being another long one. There are lots of firemen that could find love after all. Although I’m sure, the three brothers will find love first!
I really enjoyed the brothers and their easy interaction between each other. I loved how they were always teasing each other.
I liked Jackson. He is loyal to his family and those under his care. However, he does tend to take it too seriously at times. He has made himself into the man he is today, but he’s never been able to face his past. It’s left him unable to deal with emotions therefore he doesn’t allow himself to feel any. But when he finds himself having strong feelings for Becks he will have to make a choice. Face his past or lose her forever!
This book also touches on the hardships of the homeless, especially that of the homeless children. It broaches on the topic of the foster care system, which must of us know is flawed. I’m sure the series will only delve deeper into these issues as it progresses.
This was a strong start to the series and I can’t wait to read more!
