Review: Smolder by Tracy Solheim



2025 has become a year of firefighters for me as this is the 3rd romance, I have read this year with a Firefighter MMC. Smolder has Sam as he moves to a new small town to become the captain of their smoke jumpers and as he moves his horse to a barn owned by the father of single mother Laurel. 

I liked Sam and Laurel quite a bit. They both had interesting backstories, and I liked the way they clicked together. I really liked that Sam wanted to bring out the best in Laurel - he reminded her that she isn't just a mom and that she can be a good mom while still doing things that bring her joy. The highlight of the book was Laurel's son Tyson and his crew of animals; they all had so much character. Learning more about wildfires and smoke jumpers was really interesting, and you could tell that Tracy did research into the job and respected what the real-life men do. 

I wished that the book had been longer or more time had passed within it. After reading it, I did join a talk with the author, and she even said that she wished she had been able to make it longer, so I was happy to learn that I was not the only one who thought that. 

Synopsis:

Former Army Ranger Sam Gaskill is starting over in Glacier Creek, Montana - far away from the plains of Texas and the memories of his late wife. Taking charge as the new captain of a squad of smoke jumpers should provide him with enough adrenaline to chase away the ghosts from his past. Until a sexy, green-eyed temptress with a sassy mouth enters the picture…

Laurel Keenan, champion horsewoman, couldn’t wait to escape her hometown. But instead, an ailing mother and an unplanned pregnancy landed the impetuous dreamer right back on her father’s ranch. Laurel has managed to lead a quiet life with her young son—until she sets eyes on the tough guy with the sexy ass.

Sam already failed one woman; he won’t trust his heart with another. And Laurel is determined not to risk her heart—or her son’s—on another thrill-seeker. Can their slow burn lead to a love that lasts?

Goodreads | Amazon


Comments

  1. Jen TwimomOctober 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM

    Sounds like a winner. It's been a hot minute since I read firefighters. Shannon Stacey has a great series from about 10 years ago that I loved!

    ReplyDelete

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