Ice and Fire

This novella was an exclusive for the week of the English book in the Netherlands and Belgium. It wasn't easy to come by (you had to buy an English book in that week and then it was a gift but I missed it and found it online secondhand, but I needed it because otherwise my collection wouldn't have been complete)

In this short story we go back to the town of Dream Harbor where we meet a few inhabitants we know from the previous books but we also meet the owner of the Apple Pie Ice Cream Parlor, Charlotte Andrews. During the Sundae Funday, a fundraiser for the town's volunteer Fire Department, Charlotte is driven to her ice cream parlor by her friend and colleague, Leo, who is a teacher, like Charlotte, but also a volunteer for the DHFD (Dream Harbor Fire Department). Before getting out of the car they have a moment where they kiss each other and this messes with both their heads. Especially Charlotte doesn't know what to do now but she does realize she kind of has feelings for Leo. But they are friends and neither of them wants to ruin this friendship. So Charlotte has an idea, they should both relieve the tension between them by having sex with each other. But is that what they really want and won't it destroy their friendship afterwards?

This novella is the perfect story to expand on Dream Harbor and its inhabitants, the businesses and now we see they have a local Fire Department as well and a school (both aren't on the map yet at the beginning of the book but now we know they are there). These novels are normally not what I read, but ever since I started the Dream Harbor novels, I feel these are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine now. They are very easy to read and you really can relate to some of the people and/or situations. As usual there's a bit of spice in this one as well (maybe even a bit more than any of the previous books). Next up is The Gingerbread Bakery and later in 2026 the latest installment in the series will be released, The Daisy Chain Flower Shop. I can't wait!