Backdraft by Shana Gray provided me with my first experience with the author’s work, as well as The Everyday Heroes world. As a fan of stories featuring first responders, I looked forward to reading Backdraft. Read on for my thoughts on this romantic tale of a fire marshal and a pathologist.
Shana Gray’s Backdraft is a sexy, emotional, suspense-filled standalone contemporary romance written in K. Bromberg’s “Everyday Heroes” series, with character cameos from her novel Combust. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Title: Backdraft (The Everyday Heroes World)
Author(s): Shana Gray
Published by KB Worlds LLC on October 20, 2022
Pages: 237
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Source: Caffeinated PR
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
One weekend five years ago, they had an unforgettable fling.
An affair with no commitments.
The past returns with the fury of a backdraft now that they’ve encountered each other again.
Andrea Trask is a tough, no-nonsense fire marshal, always in control of the fire scene and her life. A tragic fire as a child made her this way. She doesn’t back down to anyone or anything, even when she’s threatened in her new job.
Dr. Taylor Peel was a top ER doc and trauma surgeon. After two tragic deaths rock his very foundation, he finds solace as a medical examiner–the dead can’t die–where his expertise can help those traumatized by tragedy heal.
A fatal fire brings Andrea and Taylor back together, forcing them to work side by side. They can’t ignore their affair, despite the pact they made–that it was a one-time fling with no commitment. When Andrea’s life is threatened, Taylor is driven to protect her. She must rely on him, and with Andrea’s life in his hands, Taylor is faced with having to trust himself again.
Backdraft started out on an interesting note and soon I found myself engrossed in the story. I needed to know how it would all unfold. From the investigation involving the fires and the romance between Andrea and Taylor.
I enjoyed the romance between the protagonists. The fact Andrea and Taylor had history together made it that more special. It was good to know that even after one weekend five years ago, they never forgot each other. This made their reconnection easy. They came back into each other’s lives at a point when they were both ready for a committed relationship.
Andrea lived her life like a nomad. So when the opportunity to work as a fire marshal in Sunnyville came around, she immediately packed up and took the job. She never expected to encounter on her first day the doctor whom she shared a weekend of pleasure five years ago. An unexpected and pleasant surprise. What was even more surprising was learning he was now a pathologist and no longer an ER doctor.
Doctor Taylor Peel switched to pathology after tragedy hit close to home. He never forgot the woman who rocked his world five years ago. He never expected to see her again, so coming face to face with her at the scene of a fire was both a surprising and joyous occasion.
The romance which developed between our protagonists will warm readers’ hearts. Andrea and Tyler complemented each other. It was interesting learning what led Andrea on her career path. Also, how this incident fueled her fear of staying in one place. We learn what drove Taylor to make a career change, however it would have been nice if more details were provided regarding this incident.
Now, as much as I enjoyed the story, it had issues, which led to dropping off a few stars. The secondary characters received little attention in the story. I am not sure the reason a character named Chad was included in the story. The author failed to explore this character, resulting in him adding no value to the story. Also, it would have served the story well to add more detail to the stalker’s character.
The story surrounding the investigation of the arson and the stalker could have been better developed. Majority of the story focused on Andrea and Tyler’s relationship with little room left to explore the suspense arc.
Overall, Backdraft delivered an interesting read, which fans of romance featuring first responders will appreciate.
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About Shana Gray
Shana Gray writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that just might make you laugh. With 30 books behind her, some translated into multiple languages, she’s always eyeing the next story line. She lives in a small town in Ontario, Canada, is a mom of two grown sons, a brand new daughter-in-law, and is her black cat’s human. When she’s not writing or at her day job, she can be found daydreaming about life, usually with a glass of wine or cocktail in hand and making travel plans to far off lands to feed her wanderlust. Her newest series – Girl’s Weekend Away – is out now.
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It sounds like this one was a disappointing read for you and sorry it didn’t quite meet up to expectations. Hope your next read it better.
Great review.
Great review. Glad the romance was good.
I thought about this one but didn’t have anywhere I could fit it in my schedule. I enjoy this type of story though. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Maybe Chad will get his own book?🤷
I tend to enjoy second-chance romances so this one does appeal to me. I wonder why he decided to change to pathology from working in the ER.