Wildfire: The Instant Global #1 and Sunday Times Bestseller (Maple Hills, 2)

Having read Icebreaker earlier this year, I was eager to read the follow-up Wildfire. It features one of Nate’s teammates Russ, a shy, sweet, quiet boy who hooks up with Aurora (or Rory) at a party and then following a misunderstanding, they part thinking neither of them wants to see the other again and both head off to summer camp where they are working as counsellors. Guess what, it’s the same camp!I loved Russ, he was as sweet as the puppy dogs that lived at the camp. He was good-hearted, good-natured and wonderful with the children. He was also shy and not one for breaking rules, preferring to make sure to do everything to keep his job. He was also trying to hide the fact his dad was a gambling addict, constantly asking him for money, he was ashamed of that and didn’t want people feeling sorry for him.Rory was such a bundle of energy, throwing herself into all the games and activities, the kids adored her and so did the other camp counsellors. She was very fond of the camp as it was the same one she went to when she was a child and it held fond memories and gave her an escape from her parent’s failing marriage. Now it’s a refuge from her father’s new family and the fact he always rejects her in favour of his new daughter.I also have to mention Xander, Russ’ roommate and fellow counsellor. He had such a great sense of humour and was an amazing friend to Russ, despite only meeting him for the first time this summer.For me the characters made this one of the best reads, the plot was a little predictable but that didn’t seem to matter as the characters were entertaining to read and you were rooting for them at all times.Despite being a YA romance, like Icebreaker this is not suitable for any reader under 18. The spice level is definitely 5 chilli peppers!!! Phew!

I adored this book. The characters were flawed but loveable, the romance was amazing, and whilst the character development was slow, it was worth it. Although it had significantly less spice than the first book, it did make sense because of the characters’ circumstances.Now, Russ aka ‘Muffin’ was an absolute sweetheart, shy and quite, but projecting a golden retriever energy around Aurora. He was incredibly considerate of Aurora’s insecurities and had the patience of a saint when it came to Aurora’s odd requests and actions that stemmed from her issues. I actually think that Russ was even better than Nate from the first book. I didn’t have such strong feelings towards Nate, but Russ’ attention to detail and devotion was admirable and when he finally opened up and let people in, he just stole my heart.Whilst Aurora had more of a dominant attitude with her bigger than life personality, deep down she actually harboured some heavy insecurities. She did have to go through some serious self-development which was rather slow-paced, but understandably so, after all she had to relearn herself. She was the one who went through a more notable character development and had to find her real self.I absolutely loved Aurora and Russ separately but even more so together. The romance was a bit lacking at the beginning, it needed a bit of build-up, but it picked up really well later on. The whole daddy issues/ miscommunication thing did get on my nerves a bit, especially as it became a running joke, but it wasn‘t an insufferable joke. I also have to mention that the characters did make some very stupid choices as a result of their daddy issues, but it was more prominent in Aurora. As for their character journey, I really liked that both of their issues were resolved completely differently, since they both stemmed from similar roots, but experienced a different journey as a result of those issues, so they required different resolutions.Whilst I loved the book, the repetitive mention of ‘icebreaker’, both in its actual meaning and, I’m assuming, as a nod to the first book, felt a little too much. It was sweet once or twice, but it was a bit overused by the end and felt a little excessive.This story had significantly less spice than the first book for a while, which made sense as a result of the characters’ issues and the circumstances they were under, in which it was sort of prohibited thus drove the friends-to-lovers trope. But later on, there were some spicy scenes, and Russ and his praises were definitely a positive surprise.Although one could argue that there was a 3rd-act-break-up, I would not call it that. It was a momentary lapse in judgment that was quickly rectified, a page or two maybe. So, I think in this case the fact that there was an issue made sense to begin with because of their insecurities still lingering, but it made even more sense that it was so quickly resolved, because it showed that the characters’ development wasn’t feeble.The only real issues that I had was the pacing sometimes as the inner monologues were a bit unnecessarily long and felt way too descriptive for something that could’ve been explained way shorter even if it required all the details. But luckily it wasn’t a repetitive issue, it only came up a few times.As a Henry obsessed fan, I have been waiting for his book since Icebreaker, and Wildfire just reassured me that I cannot go on without getting my hands on Henry’s book. With such an unhealthy obsession that I have over Henry, it is understandable that I was all giddy when Henry appeared. He had actually quite a few cameos and so I was thoroughly satisfied not only because his appearances made sense to the story and were incredibly entertaining, but because the author kept the fans well-fed until Henry’s book.Which leads me to the side-characters. The interactions between JJ and Russ, Henry and Russ, Xander and Russ, and Emilia and Aurora were incredibly wholesome. The friendships this book portrayed felt both light-hearted, funny, sweet, genuine and deep.Overall, the book was really well done. The romance was sweet, the characters were flawed but loveable, their journey was captivating and the friendships were wholesome. Though the pacing was off sometimes, it didn’t really take away from the entertainment factor, so Wildfire got 4/5 stars from me.

Great read , I plan to read it again probably my favourite of the series

I absolutely loved Icebreaker - one of my top five reads for 2023, so was looking forward to Wildfire, but personally, it was a slight let down. For me, Russ doesn’t seem like he should’ve been the next MC following the first book. We didn’t know enough about him and then we were fed a bunch of information and long standing trauma that was never touched upon. It was hard to feel for characters that we don’t really know yet, I wasn’t as invested in their triumphs or downfalls. My favourite parts of the book were glimpses of the characters from icebreaker, I love the dynamic between the hockey players it makes for a refreshing read - there should’ve been much more of this. Overall, it was an okay and easy read, I wish there was some more depth to the story/characters - like the subplots within Icebreaker - it became very very predictable halfway through the book. Some parts were very over explained (again to do with not knowing the MCs and having to give the reader a way to get to know them quickly) ; However, I am looking forward to see who the next lead character would be in the third book, hopefully it will be more hockey based which is what drew me to the series in the first place.

Hannah Grace’s Wildfire follows Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts, two college students at Maple Hills. They meet at a party, hook up, and then Aurora disappears whilst Russ is in the bathroom. Then they both find themselves helping out at the same summer camp. They don’t get along at first, but this book is all about two people learning how to communicate, and falling in love. I loved Icebreaker but Wildfire is much more romantic. My favourite character is Aurora because she’s so relatable; she’s 5’7, curvy, loves food, cares about the environment, loves books. Something I love about Hannah Grace’s female character is how they aren’t the stereotypical female love interest, they aren’t innocent girls waiting for a bad boy to add excitement to their life. They’re strong, independent, and exciting all on their own. My least favourite character is Aurora’s dad, because he’s useless. I recommend this book because Aurora and Russ really understand each other, they make each other feel wanted and valued, and they want each other for who they are. The found family in the Maple Hills universe will get me every time. ‘This group is a family more than they’re friends, and they’re so welcoming that it’s impossible not to fall in love with every single one of them.’ Also, it’s very different to Icebreaker which makes me more intrigued for Daydream. “It’s no secret that I love books. I love stories about people I don’t know, and places I haven’t been to. I’ve lived a thousand lives between a thousand pages, but no story, no life, no page has ever made me as happy as you do, Russ Callaghan.”

GOOD

My Heart is so, so full after reading this book. I put off reading it because I didn't think it would love up to Icebreaker but I actually think I preferred this book. I loved, loved, loved the characters so much. I loved their chemistry, I loved their vulnerabilities and how they learnt to share everything with each other and work through their traumatic family dramas. They are flawed but so loveable.Who doesn't love a workplace romance? After a sizzling one night stand Aurora and Russ are surprised to discover that they are working at the same camp over summer.Aurora is the perfect bubbly sunshine partner for Russ. His character development was great to read. He starts off so shy and begins to find himself with the help of Aurora. He's adorable.I didn't feel the spice was quite upto the standards of Nate and Anastasia in Icebreaker but I felt it suited Aurora and Russ as a couple and they have great chemistry. I loved how the two books are different but we still get the friends popping in. I'm so excited for Henry's book. I can't wait! Luckily I don't have too long to wait as it come out later this month.

Book 2 of the Maple Hills series. This can be read as a standalone but the characters from book 1 feature heavily throughout.Aurora and Russ meet at an end of year house party where she gets dared to give him a lap dance, and the night ends in a one night stand. Rory sneaks home whilst Russ is in the bathroom and they don’t exchange any details.Rory heads off to volunteer at camp for the summer, the camp is the only place she has ever felt at home and the staff are like her family. During the first staff meeting Rory is shocked to discover that Russ is also working there as a counsellor. Russ is working at the camp to try and avoid the problems his father’s gambling addiction is causing.The camp has a strict no fraternisation rule but Russ and Rory find it increasingly difficult to ignore their chemistry.My thoughts: I loved revisiting the characters from Icebreaker and I really enjoyed the found family aspect of the story.This is not a hockey romance, the entire book is set in summer camp so if you’re looking for Icebreaker 2 then this isn’t that. The main characters both have daddy issues which they help one another to work through. This book features addiction and parental abandonment but it doesn’t feel like a heavy read.Russ adores Rory, he is so wholesome and adorable. Rory is desperate for a real connection and I found her a bit emotionally immature at times. The couple struggled to communicate and I found it frustrating as I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope. But that didn’t stop me from reading ‘one more chapter’ or giving this one 4 stars.

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 bookGreat 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 😝

The book looks old, like a recycled book.