Ember Ridge Series by Ruby Rollins

Small town. Fresh start. She rebuilt her life in the light. Someone wants to burn it down. And the man sworn to protect everyone may be the one thing she can’t afford to trust. Whitney Hart came back to her hometown for one reason: to start over on her own terms. Hart & Hearth isn’t just a bakery—it’s her second chance. Proof she survived a broken engagement, reclaimed her voice, and refuses to be managed “for her own good” ever again... moreSmall town. Fresh start. She rebuilt her life in the light. Someone wants to burn it down. And the man sworn to protect everyone may be the one thing she can’t afford to trust. Whitney Hart came back to her hometown for one reason: to start over on her own terms. Hart & Hearth isn’t just a bakery—it’s her second chance. Proof she survived a broken engagement, reclaimed her voice, and refuses to be managed “for her own good” ever again. Then smoke curls up the wall during her very first dawn bake. Jake Bennett is the firefighter on scene. Her brother’s best friend. The charming, controlled man who knows how fast a spark can become an inferno—and who has spent his entire career protecting people whether they asked for it or not. As accidents turn into threats, and threats turn into fire, Whitney and Jake are forced into uneasy proximity. She demands partnership, not protection. He struggles to unlearn a lifetime of stepping in too soon. Because the danger circling the bakery isn’t random. It’s personal. And when the flames finally rise, Whitney must decide if standing fully in her life—and choosing the man who sees her strength as something worth trusting—is worth the risk of losing everything she’s rebuilt. —including her heart. Small Town Romance. Brother’s Best Friend. Slow Burn. Forced Proximity. Found Family. Strong FMC. less

Her ex came back. Her fake boyfriend stepped in. Now the whole town is watching. When Hailey’s cheating ex strolls back into her small town like he never shattered her life, she does the one thing she never planned to do. She claims she has a boyfriend. Logan is calm. Steady. A firefighter who shows up when things get hot—and when Hailey blurts out the “truth” in front of half the town, he steps in without hesitation. Hand on hers. Eyes locked. Lie sold. It should be simple. Public affection... moreHer ex came back. Her fake boyfriend stepped in. Now the whole town is watching. When Hailey’s cheating ex strolls back into her small town like he never shattered her life, she does the one thing she never planned to do. She claims she has a boyfriend. Logan is calm. Steady. A firefighter who shows up when things get hot—and when Hailey blurts out the “truth” in front of half the town, he steps in without hesitation. Hand on hers. Eyes locked. Lie sold. It should be simple. Public affection. Clear rules. No feelings. But Ember Ridge is watching. Her ex isn’t backing down. And the way Logan looks at her feels anything but pretend. The longer they play the part, the harder it becomes to tell where the act ends and the truth begins—especially when every touch lingers, every kiss burns, and walking away stops feeling like an option at all. Because when a fake relationship starts to feel this real, every touch lingers—and walking away stops feeling like a choice. 🔥 Tropes You’ll Love:Fake DatingSmall-Town RomanceFirefighter HeroProtective MMCCheating Ex DramaSlow Burn ChemistryForced Proximity“It Was Supposed to Be Pretend”. less