About the Book

A single dad x nanny, small town firefighter romance

I’m exhausted by all the different versions of myself I’ve spent years trying to be.

Dutiful stepdaughter, polished girlfriend. The woman who keeps smiling through dinner parties and business meetings while feeling absolutely nothing underneath.

So I sell my share of my late father’s business, and leave Toronto for Maplewood. All I bring with me is a bag of clothes, my mother's sparkly heels, and the blue-tipped hair I only dyed because my stepmother hated it.

Maplewood is supposed to be my fresh start. A quiet little town where nobody expects me to be anyone but myself.

Then I meet Evan Prince, a grumpy firefighter who definitely isn't charming—though his five-year-old daughter Elle certainly is.

Soon I'm falling into their mornings filled with penguin-shaped pancakes, their quiet afternoons beside the lake, and a midnight date that has Maplewood feeling less like a place I escaped to, and more like somewhere I belong.

Somewhere I want to stay.

But when one terrible night leaves our lives tangled in grief, every fear of being unlucky for the people I love comes rushing back.

The problem is, a cinder still glows after everything else turns to ash.

And firefighters run toward things worth saving.

Review

Cinder was a great start for the Maplewood Fire series. I’m ready and so very excited to see what comes next in this series. Roger has done such a great job introducing and developing these characters. I feel that this will be one of my favorite series as I continue to read.

From the beginning, I was sucked into the narrative by Penny’s words and personality. Despite how unfairly she was treated in the past, she remained calm and kind. She also had such a determination to live her life how she wanted to. I do wish we had gotten to see her discover a passion or hobby that was entirely her own. I kept waiting for that full circle moment of self-discovery. Also, I would have loved a little more exploration of her family dynamics. They had heavily impacted her life, and that storyline felt a little incomplete.

Evan was a great MMC. He’s grumpy but in a protective way. It made so much sense for him as a character given what him and Elle (his daughter, who was super adorable. Extra stars for her and Penny’s sweet relationship) have gone through. One thing I loved about him is that his priorities always centered around his daughter and eventually Penny. He was supportive, dependable, and gave everything his full effort. He is THE #1 Dad. I also really enjoyed his relationship with the other firefighters. It felt like a true family that had experienced laughter, joy, and heartache together. And that makes the last act of this story so heartbreaking.

I hadn’t seen that last act coming. I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath in, and trying not to cry as the suspense ramped up. I will say that the darker moments were handled well, and I hope the next books continue to explore the emotional impact of what happened.

As for the romance—no complaints. It was beautifully paced. Evan and Penny’s relationship developed naturally. I loved watching them gradually trust one another before falling in love. They had so many sweet domestic moments that I ate up. Their romance felt so genuine, and Penny fit so perfectly into Evan and Elle’s lives.

Final Thoughts

Cinder was great. The only real criticism I have is that I wish Penny's personal journey had explored more of her passions beyond the romance. Other than that, I loved this story. It’s a beautiful story with lovable characters. The found family aspect is strong, and the romance felt earned. I loved the subtle references to Cinderella, especially the shoes and how in one scene, Elle even wore them. It showcased the family that Penny had stumbled upon and the life she and Evan were building. Thank you, Luna Literary and Hailey Rogers for providing this ARC. Cinder releases on July 9! Run, don’t walk to grab your copy. You won’t regret it.

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