Playing with Fire
Series: Hot in Chicago #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kate Meader
Release Date: September 29, 2015
From popular romance author Kate Meader comes the second novel in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!
As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, Alexandra Dempsey gets it from all sides: the male coworkers who think she can’t do the job, the wives and girlfriends who see her as a threat to their firefighter men, and her overprotective foster brothers who want to shelter their baby sister at all costs. So when she single-handedly saves the life of Eli Cooper, Chicago’s devastatingly handsome mayor, she assumes the respect she’s longed for will finally come her way. But it seems Mr. Mayor has other ideas…
Eli Cooper’s mayoral ratings are plummeting, his chances at reelection dead in the water. When a sexy, curvaceous firefighter gives him the kiss of life, she does more than bring him back to the land of the living—she also breathes vitality into his campaign. Riding the wave of their feel-good story might prop up Eli’s flagging political fortunes, but the sizzling attraction between them can go nowhere; he’s her boss, and there are rules that must be obeyed. But you know what they say about rules: they’re made to be broken…
I despise you right now, Cooper.”
“Coming through loud and clear.”
“I may punch you, bite you, crush your nuts between my thighs. It’s going to be the best hate sex I’VE ever had. And YOUR survival is not my first concern.”
Kate Meader is an author that first hit my radar with her seriously delicious Even the Score. I fell in love with her witty writing and knew she’d be going straight to my auto buy list. When I saw that she has this series set in my hometown of Chicago with foster siblings that are all firefighters, well, suffice it to say reading it was a no brainer.
Smart, fun, sharp-witted and oh so sexy, Playing With Fire was addictingly good from beginning to end. As a matter of fact, I never wanted it to end. I was hooked from the first chapter and knew I had myself a winner and I was not even a little wrong. Kate Meader gives some of the best hate-lust I have ever read, and that’s saying a lot considering this is my all time favorite trope.
Alexandra Dempsey is used to always having to prove her worth. Her foster siblings and father are all fire fighter royalty that constantly try to shelter her, and if that’s not enough, getting criticism about her ability as a firefighter from the mayor of Chicago certainly doesn’t help. Eli Cooper is chauvinistic, domineering, and too sexy for his own good. So what if one look from him makes her nether regions pulse, she hates him…right?
Eli is no stranger to fighting for what he wants. A past marine, he’s no stranger to doing battle. But the battle of wits between him and the sassy fire fighter may be his biggest battle yet. With his mayoral ratings plummeting right around election, he makes Alexandra an offer she can’t refuse. And if they can finally have a reason to give into the fiery passion that’s burning between them, it’s a win win right? Even at the cost of a few deceitful lies…
I’m going to fuck you so good, the only word on your lips will be my name. The only answer to every question will be my name. Now say it.”
I loved these two together. Who doesn’t love a sassy and sharp-witted heroine and a hero with a dominating streak in the bedroom? Rhetorical question, obviously, because I couldn’t get enough of them.
There was not one dull moment in this book. It would send me from laughing out loud one moment to lusting after Eli the next.
“You might have Hollywood looks, dubious charm, great hair, and a giant penis, Eli Cooper, but that puppy of yours is the real selling point.”
The chemistry between these two characters was absolutely perfect. It was this fantastic mix of snarky and sexy. Alexandra “Sexy Lexi” was exactly the kind of heroine I love to read about. She’s strong but with just the right amount of that endearing vulnerability. Eli with his brooding intensity was the icing on the cake.
I’m hooked. Totally and completely hooked on Kate’s writing and this fantastic series. I’m already salivating for the next installment like a junky waiting for a fix. I recommend this book to any fans of contemporary romance. It’s not to be missed. If you haven’t yet discovered this fabulous author yet, you are really missing out.
READ THE SERIES IN ORDER
I became an instant fan of Meghan March when I first read 
Yve Santos is determined to stand on her own two feet. She’s no one’s mistress or kept woman. The last thing she needs in her life is an entitled billionaire, even if the asshole is sexier than sin. She wants nothing to do with him, and tells him that often. Unfortunately her words lack conviction when said asshole also turns her own body traitor on her and turns her on with just his broody stare and husky voice alone. 
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After reading 
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Oh yeah. The sparks fly.
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