First Responders (Harlequin Afterglow)

Fake Flame

adele / September 7, 2023

In this fun, fast-paced romantic comedy, a bookish firefighter who knows his Jane Austen suggests a little fake dating to fend off an ex. What’s a feminist English professor to do—except say yes…

You can’t fake heat like this…

To an observer, hauling a baby grand piano onto a college quad to publicly serenade an ex might seem like a romantic gesture. To literature professor Eva Campbell, it’s the latest manipulative move by a cheating jerk who won’t take a hint. Plus, she never liked that song anyway.

Setting the piano on fire might be an overreaction, but Eva’s at the end of her rope, at least until hot young firefighter Sean Hannigan talks her down. And that’s not all Sean does. Soon he’s offering to be Eva’s fake boyfriend to get her creepy ex off her back. Unexpected, maybe, but there’s something about Sean—beyond the angelic face and take-me-now body—that makes Eva say yes.

Sean battles infernos for a living, reads romance on the side and is a straight-up, family-loving good guy. Eva’s not sure she’s ready for the danger he poses to her jaded heart. Given their differences, a relationship can’t last, right? But the line between fake and real keeps blurring, daring her to take the biggest risk of all…

Cover illustration: Hattie Windley

The Anti-Social Season

adele / November 27, 2023

Relationship Status: Doesn’t Get More Complicated Than This

In this offbeat holiday romantic comedy, an overworked firefighter turned social media coordinator and a librarian with an unrequited crush break a few rules in the company handbook…

For Thea Martinelli, burnout is real. After working as a firefighter for the Emergency Services Department over the last ten years, she can’t stomach any more close calls. Just when she’s ready to hang up the hose for good, she’s offered an out: stay on as the station’s new social media coordinator. It’s a move that would keep her on the squad and off the truck—if she makes it through the probation period.

Basically, she needs to learn everything there is to know about social media…fast.

Librarian and social media coordinator Simon Osman is shocked to learn his new responsibilities include showing Thea Martinelli—his high school crush—the ins and outs of digital engagement. And the fact that she doesn’t even remember him? Not helpful. Still, this could be his chance to finally turn his part-time role into something long-term.

But as the chaos of the holiday season unfolds, Thea and Simon find that the closer they work together, the hotter their attraction burns. Yet giving in to these feelings could mean giving up their careers. Are they willing to risk everything they’ve worked toward…for each other?

Cover illustration: Hattie Windley

This Road Trip’s Got Only One Bed

adele / December 5, 2024

When the hotel has only one bed, will a former crush and a friend’s little sister share the sheets?

Ambitious executive Katrina McAnally doesn't have time for a concussion. She's in fierce competition with her odious big brother to take over her family's company and due to be a bridesmaid at a wedding nine hours away. So a bad fall just before the trip is terrible—especially when her childhood crush is taking her vitals. It’s been ages since she’s seen her brother’s ex-friend, Aiden Petersen, and…is Katrina’s pulse racing? Yeah, that might have everything to do with the sexy paramedic.

Aiden has seen his fair share of patients, but he wasn’t prepared to see Katrina again. Not looking grown-up and gorgeous. Given their history, it’s best if he treats her and gets out of the way. Until Katrina’s wealthy mother offers him funding for his master's degree—if he’ll safely escort a concussed Katrina to the wedding.

The adventure ahead may be full of shared beds, intimate wedding events and smoldering attraction, but the road signs are clear: mixing family with business with pleasure is much easier said than done.