Wildfire: A Novel (The Maple Hills Series)

My god I don’t know what Hannah Grace is putting in her books but I’m completely addicted!!! I absolutely LOVE Icebreaker and was worried this one wouldn’t be as good because it was set at a summer camp so I thought the amazing friend group from Icebreaker would be missing. I’m so happy that not only was that not the case (I swear I giggled every time Henry made an appearance because I’m so obsessed with him) but we also get some amazing new friends with Xander and Emilia. I honestly kinda hope we get a Xander book someday in the future. All the people we know and love from UCMH are still so involved in this story because they all love Russ so much and of course have their usual shenanigans lol Russ is such an amazing MMC and there were several times when he’d be explaining how he views his dad and their relationship because of his addiction where I just really felt seen for the first time in the way I view my own father’s addiction versus other addicts. Russ was also so great at making Rory feel wanted like she needed. He would say the sweetest things and every time he’d blush I fell more in love with him. Aurora is hilarious first of all. I would have had the exact same reaction if I felt something touch my foot in any body of water lol There were parts of Rory and her relationship with her dad that also made me feel seen. It’s rare I think to be able to relate so much to both the FMC and the MMC on something so closely related. I think that just goes to show how amazing of a writer Hannah Grace is. There’s also a scene where Jenna is telling Rory that “dad” is just a word without any action behind it and it was definitely an emotional conversation for me to read. Rory is just all around an amazing character. There definitely isn’t as much spice in this book as there is in Icebreaker. This goes from a one night stand to a slow burn. But because it’s Hannah Grace, the spice is spicing when you get to it. Finally - I’m so excited that Henry’s book is next lol Spice: 2.5/5

REVIEW: Maple Hills #2 - Wildfire, by Hannah Grace I started blindly with the audiobook. This was the first dual PoV audiobook I've listened to. Maybe the audiobook kind of got in the way for me. I'm a fast reader, and characters sound a specific way in my head. These particular narrators took me out of the story a bit. Once I switched to the e-reader, I had a better experience. I gave a max of 1 star each critical area: 1 - Characters: Russ and Aurora are loveable and endearing. They grow over time, and we still get to see some of our most beloved Maple Hills characters while meeting some new ones at camp. If you're an attachment theory fan, I'm going to guess Russ starts as a fearful avoidant, and Aurora starts as a dismissive avoidant. Disagree? Lmk! 0.5 - Plot: The main conflict was kind of hard to pin down. It felt like there were a lot of smaller conflicts, and overall we were waiting to see what Russ and Aurora would do once the summer was over, relationship-wise. It wasn't as compelling as Icebreaker, and I found that I needed to take breaks even while on my road trip because it felt too long winded at times. 1 - World building: The scenes at Maple Hills already have a well-built world. The camp and surrounding area was also well-described enough to be immersive. 1 - Originality: I haven't read a ton of non-fantasy romances. It definitely wasn't a clone of Icebreaker, and it feels very fresh due to the focus on working towards improving communication. 0.5 - Writing and flow: Something was just missing here, also mentioned in plot. I think it's that some moments felt unnecessary. Not necessarily fluff, but just not integral enough to the story, or perhaps there were too many minor plots. Spice: 3/5 - Scenes are more like sweet spicy due to the slow burn (after the initial encounter) nature of the story. - There are multiple open door scenes, but the majority of the book focuses on the tension of the MCs restraining themselves due to the rules at camp.

Cheers to book number 5.86 for October because (I have read 5and DNF’ed 1 at 86%)😂 • Title: #wildfire Author: @hannahgraceauthor Pub Day: October 3, 2023 Publisher: @atriabooks • I saw Icebreaker ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA before I took the jump and read it earlier this month, so it was only fitting that I read Wildfire this month too! Although Wildfire was super cute, I can definitely say that I prefer romance books deep in the sports scene (hockey, baseball, basketball), with a bit more spice. • I did really like how the female main character, Aurora, brought out the confident side of the male main character Russ. THAT DARE and SPICY JENGA!🙈😅 I’d feel all hot and bothered to Russ, so don’t be embarrassed. I also really enjoyed the #foundfamilytrope because I love seeing my favorite characters get what they deserve (especially since I do not have that in real life), so I live vicariously through them. • Overall, I’d rate the storyline/plot a ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars and the smut/spicy scenes a 🌶️🌶️/5. I am going to share some of my favorite quotes below: 1. “People mistake me being quiet for being shy, but I’m not shy. I prefer to sit and listen than be the focus of everything. There is too much pressure with being the center of attention. I’m much happier being an observer, watching from the outside”. 2. “George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson”. 3. “I have a habit of leaving a path of destruction in my wake, both literally and metaphorically…. Like a wildfire”.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace is the perfect mix of heart, heat, and humor. The summer camp setting gives the story such a fun, nostalgic vibe, while the chemistry between the main characters absolutely sizzles. I loved the banter, the emotional growth, and the way their relationship felt both messy and real. It’s swoony, addictive, and impossible to put down — a must-read for romance lovers who enjoy tension, redemption, and a whole lot of sparks. 🔥

Wildfire is another entertaining new adult romance from Hannah Grace. Set in the world of Icebreaker, it is a light, steamy romance that’s utterly enjoyable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shy goalie Russ and seemingly flighty Aurora hook up at a Maple Hills end of the year party. But Aurora sneaks out afterwards, and doesn’t expect to see him again. Except she does, when it turns out they are both spending the summer as counselors at her beloved overnight camp. After an awkward beginning, though, it seems their biggest issue might be the camp’s staff no fraternization policy. Can they keep a lid on their growing attraction and feelings? Russ is a sweet golden retriever hero who doesn’t think he’s good enough for Aurora. And, Aurora is the commitment-phobic character who can’t fathom how to be in a relationship. While both characters have pressing family issues, it’s fun watching them bring out the best in each other. I adored their “secret for a secret” exchanges, which managed to build their relationship and show off their growing chemistry. Wildfire clearly works as a standalone story. But if you liked Icebreaker, you’ll enjoy this book too. And while Russ is a hockey player, this is a story about college students, not hockey. Sometimes a low angst book with likable characters is exactly what you are looking for in a romance, and Wildfire fits the bill. Wildfire is a light, steamy new adult romance. If you are a fan of likable college student characters with a hero who connects with actual golden retrievers, you will be entertained by this enjoyable book.

📖🏒🏕️ Wildfire Author: Hannah Grace Number of pages: 384 Dual POV Trauma Bonding Found Family Self Discovery Sports Romance One Night Stand Forced Proximity TW - Mental abuse, Gambling Addiction ⭐️ 5 🌶️ 3 Eeekk sweet little Muffin! Icebreaker was my first ever hockey romance and started a new obsession for me. No regrets there (heyyyy Seattle Kraken). In the first book Russ was a secondary character and honestly I was surprised he was the MC for Wildfire. Surprised but not disappointed. So to be vague (because spoilers) Russ gets into a little trouble in Icebreaker, something that is out of is control but he carries it with him regardless thanks in part to his home life. Despite being a pretty amazing person, Russ just doesn’t see himself in any type of positive light. Aurora (Rory 😍) is a wild child. The poster girl for acting out to get her father’s attention. Never getting the attention she needs or wanted from her parents Aurora keeps everyone at arms length. They can’t hurt her if she doesn’t let them in right? When these two meet the second time (😉) let the trauma bonding begin! Can two people so damaged help repair one another? Can two people with so much baggage unpack together and find kinship? Find their mirror? This was such a fantastic book! I did not want to stop reading, I could not stop reading! I really felt for Russ and Rory and I cheered them on so hard seeing the parallels in their lives. The supporting characters were amazing (looking at you Xander) and of course any time there’s men melting over puppies is a plus (and now going forward all my dogs will be fish themed in name). Henry’s dry personality is still everything to me and I’m BEGGING Hannah Grace for his book! As said about, this was a great read that I can’t recommend enough and I’ll probably be doing a reread in the next few months!

Aurora and Russ meet at a college hockey party and really hit it off ending in a one night stand. Thinking they would never see each other again, they are shocked when they discover they are working at the same summer camp together. Realizing they are still drawn to each other, they have to deal with the camp's strict no fraternizing rule. While trying to abide by this rule they also have to deal with each other's family problems. In the end they realize some rules are made to be broken. This is the 2nd book in the Maple Hills series and I liked this one better than the first one. Wildfire had a better story line, I think, than Icebreaker. This book was still very spicy but not quite as much as the first one. If you like a fun, romantic comedy that is an easy read with some spice, this is the book for you!

Once again the "spice" in the book has started in the beginning then there is a break and it starts again. Both Russ and Aurora have daddy issues and rightfully so. Russ is so adorable because he gets nervous just trying to talk to a girl. They had a hook up at a party and now they are camp counselors and they are surprised to see each other again. There is some miscommunication regrading out their first night ended. This was a nice rom com with not too much spice.

I love spinoffs, where in each book in the series we focus on another character. Russ is such a golden retriever I just can’t! I love him. Russ and Aurora cannot be any different when it comes to personalities, but they share similar issues and struggles. I love their chemistry and dinamic. Easy read

A must in your collection. Note a bit on the spicy side.

Wildfire è il secondo libro della serie Maple Hills e io ne sono innamorata fino alla luna e ritorno. La scrittura di Hannah Grace è un toccasana e la storia di Russ e Aurora era la svolta che mi serviva. Frizzante e piacevole, senza il dramma del terzo atto, è un libro che viene divorato. Più cercavo di leggere con calma e pazienza, più volevo sapere cosa succedeva, pagina dopo pagina. Mi è piaciuto particolarmente come entrambi i protagonisti vengono a patti con i loro demoni personali e, anche se quest’ultimi hanno la possibilità di minare la loro relazione, entrambi sono così forti e maturi da non permettere che niente possa dividerli. Amo quanto Russ sia dolce e timido, ma al tempo stesso è coraggioso nell’inseguire ciò che vuole. I personaggi secondari li ho trovati alquanto strutturati e danno un pizzico di divertimento alle scene, che altrimenti potrebbero risultare noiose. E sottolineo che tutti i Russ del mondo dovrebbero avere un JJ tascabile che li sproni a inseguire la ragazza dei loro sogni. Hannah Grace mi ha conquistato. Non vedo l’ora di leggere altro del suo repertorio.

Love this book Great story and some spice

I was so intrigued by Russ in the last book, so I couldn’t wait to read his story. Safe to say it broke my heart the way he was made to feel. He was such a sweet soul and I loved his personal growth throughout the book as well as both his and Rory’s healing journey. They make such a sweet couple. I looooved the cameos from the Maple Hill crew, especially the man himself, Nate Hawkins 😍 I wanted to love this book more than Icebreaker but unfortunately Nate Hawkins has my heart.. well until we get Henry’s story that is 😝