I really enjoyed Zoe and Alex's story. The progression of their relationship felt natural and realistic. I liked watching him get her to open up and take some risks, and seeing Zoe's passion for the soup kitchen.
I only wish the epilogue had a bit more about them as a couple. I know it was serving as setup for the next book, but it felt long and heavy on others rather than a peek into the future of Zoe and Alex.

Title: Reckless by Kimberly Kincaid
Pine Mountain Book 8

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Chef Zoe Westin runs a soup kitchen in her hometown, prioritising community service and safety after witnessing the toll firefighting took on her parents' marriage. However, when she's paired with the adventurous firefighter Alex Donovan for community service, sparks fly. Despite their differences, Zoe and Alex find themselves drawn to each other, navigating both kitchen chaos and their growing attraction. As they challenge each other to step out of their comfort zones, they must decide if taking a risk on love is worth the potential consequences.

"Reckless" by Kimberly Kincaid delivers a cute and heartwarming story with a realistic plot that hits the right notes. From the fiery chemistry between the characters to the relatable challenges they face, this book kept me entertained.

If you're looking for a charming romance with genuine depth, "Reckless" is the perfect pick-me-up for your reading list!

Tropes:

Workplace Romance
Opposites Attract
Forbidden Love
Small Town Setting
Family Dynamics

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op , The Author Kimberly Kincaid & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

The romance in this book is between firefighter Alex Donovan and chef Zoe Westin, the captain's daughter. The story begins with their respective passion for their jobs, as well as the precautions that and efforts they took to protect them. However, fate had other plans when Alex's careless actions caught the attention of his senior officer. As a result, he was forced to perform community service in the soup kitchen and shelter run by Zoe at Hope House. This marks the beginning of the drama.
With their little history to remember, Zoe's dissatisfaction towards firefighters in general, and Alex's careless attitude towards everything except the firefighters job to save lives, the soup kitchen literally turned into a battle field when careless Alex met with discipline from Zoe.
The pent-up tension, pending comforts, undeniable chemistry, holding causes, their background, and history all add flavor to their journey.
How will they move forward with the burden of the past? How will they live freely by unchaining themselves from their fear? For all these answers,look into this story and travel with them to experience their story.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The positive aspect is good narration, supporting characters, and the main characters professional ethics. The challenging part was the couple's individual character building because most of the book is about Zoe's kitchen discipline and Alex's reckless behavior, not even illustrating it. So the relationship and individual character development needed more attention and depth; other than that, the book-reading experience was good and enjoyable. It was a cute, simple, small town story.

I have enjoyed several books from this author, so I happily grabbed this complimentary ARC, and settled in.

I did find Alex a know-it-all thrill seeker, and reckless, as this title claims. Which got old, fast. Zoe is a chef who follows rules and is dedicated to her work. So I don't know that the connection between him and Zoe makes sense. I had a bit of a problem connecting with them, and the story kinda dragged for me. Couple that with her yes, no decisions, and I wasn't invested in the rest of the chapters. I did finish, but I wanted something different from the story than what I ultimately felt.

Like I said, I have enjoyed others from this author, and look forward to reading more from her in the future. I thank Netgalley for this book, and voluntarily leave my review.

Hellooooo hot hot firefighter

Summary: This book follows Alex, who is in the doghouse for circumventing a direct order from a rival firehouse captain and has to commit to 4 weeks of community service in the city's soup kitchen. Unknowingly, his station's captain has an insider to whip his subordinate into shape aka his daughter, Zoe. Zoe has fought tooth and nail to keep the soup kitchen thriving with a background in high end culinary experience she was over qualified to be the director, but this kitchen means the world to her. She has no time for a lazy, unmotivated, adrenaline junkie firefighter. And so the story begins...

For someone who works with firefighters frequently, this author got the stereotype down pat. Adrenaline junkies with a knack for acting before thinking. 9/10 it works in their favor btw I cannot imagine being in their shoes and I'm not throwing shade at firefighters, but there's always that 1/10 event. I cannot tell you the amount of times the quick on your feet thinking has saved someone's life. Great plot, love the characters, and just a classic romcom to fill your day with happiness ❤️

Reckless
By: Kimberly Kincaid

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Couldn’t be more opposite?

Oh these two are a blast to read. They challenge each other page after page yet for some reason I’m rooting for sparks from the beginning. Yikes it doesn’t happen immediately but it’s worth it.

The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: He’s a hotshot firefighter who lives on the edge. She’s his captain’s daughter…and his new boss.

Chef Zoe Westin’s number-one priority is making sure no one goes hungry in her hometown of Fairview. Running a soup kitchen is also the perfect way to prove to her dad that helping people doesn’t always mean risking life and limb. After all, the dangers of being a firefighter broke up her parents’ marriage, and she’s only interested in playing it safe.

But when Zoe is saddled with a gorgeous firefighter doing community service after yet another daredevil stunt, the kitchen has never been so hot.

Alex Donovan thrives on adrenaline, and stirring a pot of soup doesn’t exactly qualify. He’s not an expert at following the rules either, not even when they come from the stubborn, sexy daughter of the man who's not only his captain, but his mentor. He’s stuck with by-the-book Zoe as his boss for four whole weeks, his fate as a firefighter in her hands.

The fact that she tempts him at every turn on top of everything else? Yeah, that only adds fuel to the fire.

Determined to show Zoe that not every risk ends in catastrophe, Alex challenges her, both in the kitchen and out. One reckless step leads to another, but will falling for each other be a risk worth taking, or will it just get them burned?

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Zoey and Alex are awesome together. Great read. Loved Zoey’s soup kitchen and her dedication to feeding everyone.

While the premise of "Reckless" had promise, the execution fell short for me. The dynamic between Zoe and Alex felt contrived, with their romance unfolding predictably against the backdrop of a soup kitchen. Despite the potential for tension between their conflicting priorities, the plot lacked depth and failed to explore the nuances of their relationship beyond surface-level attraction. All characters were very one dimensional.

Overall, "Reckless" left me wanting more complexity and depth in both its romance and its exploration of risk and responsibility.

*Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I am never disappointed when I read a book by Kimberly Kincaid. The men are always so everything… sexy, kind, protective, dominant and the women are strong, independent, fierce. I love the this series….the stories are engaging, entertaining and action packed and the love….it’s enough to make anyone believe.

To live life is to risk it
I just loved it and had to read it in one go. Coming from opposite sides, Zoe sticking by the rules and Alex always following his guts, they’re just not on the same path. Until they find out what makes the other tick and learning what happened in the past that is still influencing them today. And being on this road with them. What a wonderful story. Full of wit, action, friends/family at your six and steamy and oh so very sweet lovemaking. Highly recommended.

Hot shot firefighter takes on more than he can chew when his actions lead him to having four weeks of community service. Working with his boss' daughter seems even more tricky when close quarters bring the two together. When the sparks fly and the passion ignites the two are left on a journey of love, happiness and comfort - that is if her father doesn't fire him in the process. Kimberly Kincaid brings spice and mayhem into a heartfelt story. Looking forward to more in the series.

"Reckless (Pine Mountain Book 8)" kicks off with a classic enemies-to-lovers vibe that had me hooked from the start. Zoe, running a soup kitchen, and Alex, the adrenaline junkie firefighter, collide in a clash of personalities that's as steamy as it is entertaining. The slow-burn romance between them is worth the wait, with Zoe's cautious nature and Alex's daredevil antics making for an intriguing dynamic. As they're forced to work together, sparks fly both in and out of the kitchen, leading to a journey of trust, understanding, and some seriously hot chemistry. While Alex initially came off a tad too cocky for my liking, his character growth throughout the story won me over completely. And Zoe? She's a relatable protagonist with depth and heart, making me root for her from the get-go. Kincaid's writing shines in capturing the essence of both the firefighting world and the culinary scene, adding layers of authenticity to the story. Overall, "Reckless" is a delightful contemporary romance that left me eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Bring on more of those firefighter uniforms and heartwarming connections!

Thank You Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

NO SPOILERS :) I was given the opportunity to read reckless for my honest opinion. This book started out with a classic enemies to lovers. Zoe runs a soup kitchen and Alex is an adrenaline addict who ends up having to complete community service due to his reckless actions on the job. He tries to fight his attraction for her because not only is she now his boss, but she’s also his fire chiefs daughter making her completely off limits. It is a slower romance burn but it was worth the read this was the first book that I’ve read by Kimberly but I do plan on going back and reading a few others #netgalley