Up in Smoke

By: Annabeth Albert

Narrated by: Iggy Toma

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Three Men and a Baby meets Backdraft with explosive chemistry and heartfelt feels.

Freewheeling smoke jumper Brandt Wilder thrives on adrenaline. He’s never met a parachute he can’t repair or a dangerous situation he couldn’t wrangle his way out of. He’s popular and fun-loving and not at all looking to settle down or form lasting relationships. It’s a lifestyle that’s served him well…right up until the day he finds a baby on his doorstep.

Shane Travis is used to putting his country music career - and his own happiness - on hold after his sister rolls through his life. Like last spring when she convinced him to try skydiving for his birthday - and she walked away with the hot parachute instructor.

Now he gets to deliver the piece of news that will upend Brandt’s carefree life: He very well might be a dad.

Shane’s niece is safe in Brandt’s strong, capable hands, but too many questions remain unanswered. Co-parenting while they sort it out leads to late-night talks, and soul-bearing confessions lead to a most inconvenient attraction. Still, Shane can’t leave this makeshift family behind - even if it means playing house with the one man he can’t resist.

Hotshots
Book 1: Burn Zone
Book 2: High Heat
Book 3: Feel the Fire
Book 4: Up in Smoke

©2021 Annabeth Albert (P)2021 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Depersonalisation of “the baby”

Enjoyed the book - but referring to “the baby” rather than the child’s name was very impersonal. She never became a real part of the story

What a BEAUTIFUL series

Thank you, Annabeth, for your wonderful talent. The way you shape your characters, the way you form your plots… the way you show how love can be between two men. Thank you so much!

Good story. Good narration.

This was a sweet story about building your own family. The characters are wonderful. The building romance and few plot twists add enough tension to keep the reader listening past bedtime.

As usual, Iggy Toma does a wonderful job narrating the characters, and he is one of the reasons I picked up the audiobook.

enjoyed it

Would I listen to it again: yes ✔
Did the story keep me engaged: yes ✔
Was I invested in the characters: yes ✔

📖 Story comment: Sweet story, easy pace, low drama, likeable characters ... just what I needed.
I really enjoyed this one. Clueless Insta Dad who steps up to the responsibility and exhausted Uncle at his wits end trying to do what's right for the baby - these guys were easy to get behind and cheer for.

🎧 Narrator comment: I enjoyed Iggy Toma's narration, he suits the characters, has good cadence, inflections and intonations and it's easy to distinguish the characters from each other. Overall an enjoyable performance and he bought the characters and story to life.

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 8
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough • 5 enjoyed it • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list • 8 kept me up past bed-time • 9 recommended to family/friends • 10 own it in multiple formats • 11 keep a copy with me at all times
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2 Men + 1 Baby = ?

Cute loveable m\m tale of two helpless guys trying to figure out fatherhood and each other and one cute baby. The audible for this book is fantastic! Sexy smoke jumper meets songwriter/singer during parachute buddy jump and hookup with songwriter/singer's sister.

Daunting Ache, Surprising Warmth

I was quite moved by this story. Early on it felt annoyingly predictable. But it blossomed slow and sweet and warmly erotic. I found myself hopeful for a similar fate as the 2 main characters. Will probably read it again in 4 to 6 months.

Awww lovely story

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The baby brought interest to the storyline and the main characters are well developed. This would be a great one to come back to when Jewel is older!

Great ending to this series.

These two on the way they met. How they left an impression without knowing it and why they were brought back together. Good story. Did tear up a little bit loved how it ended.

Boring

I really like Annabeth Albert but I found this book uninspired. There was no tension and no slow burn. It was insta love and extremely predictable.

Least favorite in this series

I had a hard time liking this one started reading it then running off & reading something else. I even ended up purchasing the audio book thinking that I would enjoy it more, I didn't. Jewel was too much front & center, yes I understand that is why they got together, but they couldn't even have a conversation that they cared about each other. People with kids have relationships every single day. Also, if Brandt liked Shane, why did he run off with Shelby on their first meeting? Plus Shelby just ups & leaves and no one seems to bat an eye about it? I just really had a hard time with this one.