Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.

My rating: 4.5 Stars

Molly Mayberry and Ben Matthews were a young couple very much in love with a marvelous future ahead of them. Something drastically changed, however, and, as this story shifts, it is now nine years later. Molly had made a difficult decision and left town. She is back again, now a pediatrician, with a one-year contract at the local hospital. There are two people Molly would desperately like to avoid, Ben and her mother.

Ben is a firefighter, and has risen to the ranks of captain. He is now after the position of fire chief. He may be declined the position because he is not a family man. Before he can stop himself, Ben blurts out to his boss that he is actually engaged to be married.

Through an odd set of circumstances his brother tells their mother that Ben is indeed engaged - To Molly. Now, Ben not only has to tell this to Molly, but he must make it seem real. Part of the reason is that his mother is in ill health, and Ben and his brother know that this will make her very happy. Can Ben and Molly pull it off?

The Firefighter’s Pretend Fiancée is a great second-chance romance story. The characterization is great. Ben is a hardworking firefighter, and a man dedicated to his family. He was incredibly hurt by Molly, and even though he thinks this plan just might work, he has to fight his feelings for her. Molly is a bit overworked. She is quite focused on her work and her future. Despite her past, her life now, and her goals, it is no surprise that Molly still desires Ben. She had a reason for her actions, but does not want to deal with the past. She would just like to fulfill her current obligations.

This is quite the balanced story. It deals with such a sweet romance, with enough conflict to keep the story very interesting. It was a delightfully quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. There is a sensitive issue that is dealt with in this story, however. It is very easy to connect with Molly and Ben, as well as the others in this story. This is the fifth book in a series that I have not read, but it does quite well as a standalone. I can definitely see other stories that will develop and so I hope to continue with this series.

Many thanks to Entangled Publishing for this ARC to review in exchange or an honest opinion. ( )

The Firefighter's Pretend Fiancee is a sweet, second-chance, fake relationship romance set in Ms. James's fictional (unfortunately!) town of Shadow Creek, Montana. Molly's back in her hometown after nine years away--she never intended to come back, but a one-year career opportunity came up that she can't say no to--and her first love and guy she unceremoniously dumped nine years ago is not only still there (and a hot fireman to boot) but he conveniently needs to appear "settled" to get a promotion.

Obviously, a fake relationship is the way to go, right? Nothing could go awry there... ;)

Though Molly and Ben were great characters and wonderful together--once they let themselves be together, that is--I have to say that my favorite relationship in the whole book is Ben and Finn's. Nothing made me LOL as much as when those two were on the page together...heck, Finn didn't even have to be there in person, because sometimes Ben just thinking about him (okay, what he was going to do to him when they were together again) was enough.

My only complaints here are with the resolution--things get resolved really, really quickly in the end, and it doesn't seem like quite enough, somehow--and the fact that Molly's mother is so unrepentantly horrible. Maybe she'll come of better in future books...? But here we're left pretty unresolved as far as she is considered. Still, a reason to keep reading! (As if I need one... ;))

Though this is the fifth book in the series, it would work just fine as a standalone--several past series characters make (very brief) appearances here, but you don't need to be familiar with their stories at all to enjoy this one. Molly has two single sisters, though, and Ben an unattached brother, so...

(Not even a subtle hint, I know. I am not ashamed.)

I'm really looking forward to Finn (here I'm giving the author some serious side-eye for that epilogue, because that was just not right--it had better be fixed soon), Addie, and Melody's stories!

Rating: 4 stars / B

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ( )