Hearts on Fire by Julia Gabriel is a good fit for people who are in the mood for a heartwarming and emotional story about second chances, family, and love, with a lighthearted tone and a fast-paced narrative.

The second book in the St. Caroline Series a well written story that held my interest until the end. This is Jack Wolfe and Becca Trevor’s story and their second chance. This is a very emotional story to read. Becca had so much to overcome before she could let love in, and let people know about the secret she has kept for seven years. The quilts sounded beautiful and the Quilt Therapy would put them to a good cause. I want to read more in this series.

Julia Gabriel brings such balanced and real characters.

Smooth story line and balanced pacing really streamlines the story. The writing was superb. Everything from the setting of each, to the imagery and the timing was well done.

The perfect escape into another relationship!

It is often said that grief is something you hope to never experience in your lifetime. How Ms Gabriel brings to life the bone deep emotional pain that grief causes through her words is simply amazing. In Jack you have a big strong man, brought to his knees through his grief. Never have I experienced the level of raw emotion that the author was able to give life to through Jack.

The levels of emotions that weaved their way through the story was poignant and heartfelt. The heartbreak was palpable, so thick at times that a lack of tears was nonexistent. Through all these painful emotions, rather than a heaviness that could have bogged down the story, instead you found uplifting moments that provided the perfect balance to the grief.

Having been someone who has experienced a level of grief no parent should ever have to, the story resonanted with me, portraying the darkness of loss, while at the same time finding the light of life as it goes one. This story will definitely stay with me going forward.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

When Becca was 1 year old, her mother died and she was adopted by her mother's sister and her husband. She also gained 4 sisters but she never felt like she really belonged because she was different from them ... so she rebelled. Jack was the youngest son in his family of firefighters and he was named after his mother's twin brother who died on the job fighting fires. So his mother made his father promise that Jack would never be a firefighter like him and his other 2 sons. Jack was to go to college and become a lawyer, doctor, teacher ... anything but a firefighter. So on the night of their high school graduation, Jack's best friend set him up to lose his virginity to Becca ... who everyone believed was the town "bicycle". When Becca found out she was pregnant, she didn't tell anyone because she knew that Jack would do the right thing and marry her, but she didn't want to marry him that way. She didn't want to be blamed for "golden boy" Jack's life being ruined. So she left town, had her baby and gave it up for adoption.

Seven years later, Becca is still making bad decisions ... she just lost her job, got evicted from her apartment and her boyfriend went jail. So she put her tail between her legs and crawled back home ... a place she never thought she's go again. Her first night there, her family is away so she goes into her mother's quilting store to stay the night and once again her bad luck follows her and the store burns to the ground. And who is there when she is brought out of the flames ... none other than Jack. Jack just got called back to his hometown because his mother is dying and he wants to spend all the time he can with her. Besides, a year ago he quit law school because all he really wants is to be a fireman. Becca and Jack keep running into each other and eventually start seeing each other ... it's not a relationship because when the summer is over they will each be heading out of town in different directions. But a lot can happen in a summer!

This is one of the most down to earth books I have ever read. There are no millionaires, no rock stars and no jocks ... just everyday people with everyday lives and everyday problems. This book will make you laugh, but it will also break your heart! Believe me ... keep a box of tissue close by because you will need it. I highly recommend this book is you are truly looking for a heartwarming and heart wrenching story.

I received an ARC copy courtesy of Romance Beckons through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed Julia Gabriel’s Phlox Beauty books, so when I had the opportunity to pick up a copy of Hearts on Fire for review, I jumped on it. I was not at all disappointed. I don’t think you will be either.

Becca was the girl who just couldn’t seem to get it together. One tragedy or mistake after another seemed to write the story of her life. Finding happiness with Jack, the golden boy seemed highly unlikely. However, Jack wasn’t so perfect afterall. Little do they know, they are each carrying around huge secrets. As these secrets are revealed, their lives will be changed forever, but will forever be happily-ever-after?

This book seriously had my emotions all over the place! I laughed, cried, got a little angry, and was so happy. That right there is evidence of good writing! These characters were so real. They were each struggling with things, but in the end, they were both doing the best they could. As frustrated as I found myself with them at times, I could understand where they were coming from and why they made the choices they did.

Becca was so sweet. She loves with all her heart. She always seemed to put the needs of those around her above her own without even realizing it. I hated that she didn’t always see how strong and good she was. While she thought she was a complete disaster, others (myself included) could see her potential and worth.
Jack frustrated me at times, but in the end, he really just wanted to find away to follow his dream and make those around him happy. We know from the beginning that his mother is dying of cancer, and this has such a deep impact on him. He begins questioning his faith and the world around him. How can there be any good, any joy when this is going on? We definitely get to follow his roller coaster of emotions. While he was brokenhearted and raw, his love of family was admirable and endearing.

This is not an easy love story. This is a love that must be fought for. It must go through twists and turns and ups and downs. However, it is a love that is worth fighting for. Jack and Becca go through so much as individuals in this book, but they are continually drawn back together. Jack and Becca found what they were missing when they found each other.

If you are looking for a clean romance that takes you through so much emotion, this is a great choice for you. Be ready for the tears, because they are coming, but know that the ending will make you smile!

Thank you to NetGalley and Julia Gabriel for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.

I received a free copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
I liked the book, the believable emotions going through all the problems (maybe a bit too many problems...). I liked the story and the main characters. I would have liked to know more about the secondary characters. We do not see the main characters from the previous book.
There's a bit of repetition concerning silence as we read: "... anticipation of the awkward silence she was sure was about to happen". I've seen it at least 3 times; different wording maybe, same concern.
Health: You are not in remission just after 3 years. Doctors calculate a minimum of 5 years...

I assumed that this would book would be one thing, but it was so much more. There are great characters and several stories intermixed in the one main story. I did not see the major twist coming until it was too late and it made the book that much better. This was my first read by this author but I am now looking forward to reading her other titles.

Just loved this book.This was a wonderful read i really enjoyed getting to know Jack and Becca they were so meant for each other a super read that will have you close to tears at times i really enjoyed it and cannot wait to try more from this author.

Wonderfully written !!!!!!!!!!
I just enjoyed the book.All the emotions jack goes through - grief for his mother,love for Becca,sweet relation with his father and brothers - were depicted beautifully.
I just loved Becca's character - so much of self-doubt but always trying to be strong.And by the time I reached point of Jack and Becca's marriage I had tears in my eyes.Each relation was portrayed so realistically in this book,it made you connect with all the characters and feel their grief,happiness,anxiety - basically everything.
Awesome read for someone who loves books which can make them cry out of happiness or sadness.

A very sweet romance story, a summer read over a weekend for me. I enjoyed the story i just found it a bit too sweet for me, i like more grit in the romance side for myself. I did enjoy the look at the past of the two main characters. So it was great to see the two sides to the romance developing from past to now. Worth a read if you like a story that is sweet and takes you away to a location that is idylic sounding

review on goodreads under the name kimothy

This is my first book by Julia Gabriel.

What I liked:
The writing style
Part of a series: St. Caroline Series
Standalone
HEA

What I didn't like:
I had a hard time staying interested in the book; the last third of it was better.

I voluntarily received an ARC from NetGalley.

This is my first book from Julia Gabriel. Her writing is beautiful and I think she has great character development. I really enjoyed getting to know Becca, the Trevor family and Jack. That being said I felt there was something missing between Becca and Jack. Their love seemed to be a bit lacking? Maybe the chemistry was off? I enjoyed the book twist, but kinda felt it was late in the book and wasn't developed enough.

Overall, it's a cute romance and I would probably pick up another novel from Julia Gabriel.

Hearts on Fire is an emotionally touching "second chance" romance story that will tug at all your heartstrings. The endearing characters will bring tears to your eyes and will also make you smile.

The storyline is very well written, well developed and engaging. The characters go through their life challenges and choices while learning to adjust - and readjust. Hearts on Fire will keep readers engaged cover to cover.

This is a sweet and clean romance with nothing more graphic than passionate kisses. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Struggled with the first book in this series, but i'm glad I read this one, it was such an emotional story that leaves the reader emotionally drained, but in a good way, will definitely read the rest of the series

I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. Can't wait to read another book in this series. Being an adoptive parent, I could relate to many aspects of this book.

If ever there was a love song that needed to be written, it would be the ballad of Jack and Becca. Hearts on Fire is that tale without the melody. Ms. Gabriel paints a picture of heartbreak and regret that will have readers reaching for the Kleenex. Becca tends to lead with her heart. She gives her all to those she loves, even if that means breaking herself in the process. Jack is the man who wants to be happy but keeps getting let down by the choices he makes and the obligations he faces. Descriptive dialogue guides this coming of age story of past mistakes and new beginnings.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Julia Gabriel is a new to me author and one I will gladly read again. I found her writing to be strong and immersive. She can really make you feel as if you are in a location with the characters.

This was a plot that definitely pulls on the heartstrings. I just wanted a bit more. In the beginning Becca is constantly complaining about her bad luck and blaming herself for everything in the world. I found it more annoying than endearing to be honest but I liked her enough to care about her and her story. What we are given to explain the dark cloud she thinks she lives under is not helpful. The scene where she loses her job even though she is in the right is a bummer. We are told about her ex and never given details about their relationship or why he is in jail. We are just told he is the last in a string of bad guys in her life. The eviction is harder to sympathize with because she would have had notice of an upcoming eviction. Was she careless or clueless? Then blaming herself for the electrical fire was too much for me. I didn't need all of this to understand why she made the decision she made at 18 or her fear of what will come when others find out about it. For the rest of the book major things happen to Becca and she makes life changing decisions without us really seeing what she is thinking and feeling. The plot is strong enough to still make it an enjoyable book but I really wanted more of what was going on in her head and not just the plot moving forward.

Jack was a more fleshed out character, in my opinion. He loves his mom and has to come to terms with disappointing her because he cannot live his life the way she wants him to.

I loved how the relationships of the main characters with their parents were written, those were my favorite moments in the book, but wish she had developed the relationships between siblings more. The ending was rushed but still satisfying.

Beautifully written story that pulls at your heart strings with powerful characters that will grip you from the very first page and hold you prisoner until the turn of the very last page!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.