Blurb:

His chestnuts will be roasting…

With just 24 hours to hang out with his dad, Becker Bell is determined to get home for Christmas. Things aren’t looking promising. Multiple delays are making it harder than necessary to get where he needs to be, leaving him frustrated and even worse… bored. That is, until a scattered redhead is knocked right off her feet in front of him.

Sloan Webster just wants to be with her family for the holidays. However, between security mishaps and several hours’ worth of delays, it seems the universe is against her. But when an unexpected good Samaritan offers his assistance, things begin looking up.

Maybe there’s time for a Christmas miracle after all…

My 5* Review:

Open Fire by M.E. Carter is book three in her Florida Glaze Hockey series. This is a light hearted and fun story about being delayed when you are trying to fly home for Christmas. Becker Bell and Sloan Webber meet by accident when they find themselves stuck at the airport on Christmas Eve. Two strangers who paths cross and then they embark on a series of funny events as they while away the hours until their flight takes off. A feel good, slow burn romance that will get you in the holiday spirit. 

First things first…Becker Bell…what a gentleman and all round sweetie.

He is charming, kind, thoughtful and I loved his fun-loving side. He is a professional hockey player for the Florida Glaze team and only has a day to spend with his dad for Christmas before his next game. His flight to Chicago is delayed so he finds himself in a restaurant people watching. His boring wait suddenly changes when a present suddenly appears at his feet. 

Sloan Webber is a financial aid specialist for a college and is looking forward to spending Christmas with her family. She has a bag of presents for her niece and nephew which causes her all sorts of problems as she tires to catch her flight. Things don’t improve when she finally finds a seat in a restaurant and all her presents fall out. 

Becker decides to help the harassed but beautiful woman and during their search for Christmas wrapping paper they slowly get to know each other. They both think they will never see each other again so enjoy the others company, open up and chat. She flirts with him and teases him over her love for a rival team. He’s attracted to her and is shocked to be enjoying himself with a stranger. 

Enjoy the great banter and fun as they fill the long delay. Both are left wondering if their attraction and connection to each other is real or due to their circumstances. What will happen when they are called to board?

The epilogue links up with the last Florida Glaze book and nicely finishes this story. Next in the series is Feeling The Fire and the bonus epilogue gives you a sneak preview.