Wildfire by Hannah Grace: A Book Review

Ok, I have a confession to make. I kind of made a mistake reading this book. I knew that Hannah Grace had written "Icebreaker", but I didn't realise that "Icebreaker" was the first in the Maple Hills series, followed by “Wildfire". Oops! If I had known that, I'd have definitely read "Icebreaker" before reading "Wildfire". But anyway, I've read "Wildfire" and here are my thoughts on it!

Let's set the scene:

Maple Hills students Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross each other's paths at a college party. One thing leads to another and they end up having a passionate one-night stand. Aurora slips away the next morning before Russ has the chance to ask her for her full name.

A short time afterwards, they end up unexpectedly bumping into each other at a Summer camp they'll be working at for the next few weeks. Both have their reasons for deciding to work at the Honey Acres camp. Russ is dealing with his father and his gambling addiction and wants to get as far away from it as possible. Aurora (also referred to as Rory) wants to go back to this Summer camp she attended a lot of Summers growing up where it feels like home. 

Camp rules state that there is a "no fraternising rule" at the camp. Russ knows that breaking this rule will mean no job for him for the Summer. However, Aurora is not one to care about sticking to the rules. Will the two of them learn to work together harmoniously or will they give into temptation once more?

What are my thoughts on Wildfire? 

This is such a lovely read. It just has a nice flow to it, there's no on-off kind of relationship between Russ and Aurora, it's just plain and simple and quite romantic.

This contemporary romance will really melt your heart and there are even some funny moments during the book. I like that Russ has that sensibleness going on and that Aurora is more of the rulebreaker, it does create that lovely balance between the two. It's good to see the journey between these two characters. As we alternate between Russ's and Aurora's POV for each chapter, we see how Russ finds it difficult to open up, particularly about his das's problems. Aurora is patient with him though and allows him to open up when he's ready to. Aurora feels very unwanted by her father and has a very strained relationship with him. Something I know all too well. Russ is there to pick up the pieces for her, which is lovely to read. 

The family aspect between all of their friends not just at the college, but at Honey Acres is heartwarming. I have friends who are like family to me and it was lovely to see friends getting along so well and not arguing over petty things. I loved the other characters in this book, including Russ's friends at college, camp leader Jenna (who has practically seen Aurora grow up over the years) and fellow campmates and friends Xander and Emilia. 

The only slight issue I have with the book is the front cover. Russ and Aurora look oddly 'too' alike in looks. But I always imagine what the characters look like in my imagination anyway rather than what they look like on the front cover! 

Overall, this book is a book I'd recommend if you want a nice rom-com to settle down with before bed!

*Trigger Warning* - this book is spicy, so it's for over 18's only. It also deals with parental abandonment, alcoholism and gambling addiction. 

Let me know your thoughts on Wildfire by Hannah Grace!