TAKING THE HEAT

Author: Kathryn Shay ISBN: 9780425222003 5/2008 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION

Liam O'Neil is trying to take care of his troubled seven-year-old son and cocky teenager, and work full time at the family-owned Bailey's Irish Pub. Widowed three years ago, he's ready to date again (at the insistence of his brothers). But his life is in flux, his future unclear, when he meets Sophie Taylor, a female in the Fire Department of New York. A consummate firefighter who was rescued herself by the FDNY when she was ten, she loves her job and her "firefighter family." Liam's as attracted to her as she to him, which is fun and flirty, until they both start to care about each other. Yet she's the last person he can get involved with. His youngest is suffering from abandonment issues and depression, and needs stability. Even when they become involved, both Liam and Sophie know their relationship is doomed. Or is it?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Kathyrn Shay's latest novel, TAKING THE HEAT, is a deeply emotional read that will have you hooked from beginning to end. The story is a continuation of the O'Neil Irish family saga, this time centered on middle child Liam.

Life isn't always easy or fair, and Liam knows this firsthand after losing his wife three years ago to cancer. He is trying to move on with his life, but has the added responsibility of his two sons, second grader Mikey and teenaged Cleary. Both took the death of their mother hard and are still dealing with life without her, and it weighs on Liam's conscience, as protective a father as he is. He starts dating again, though he is slow about it and hasn't met anyone memorable. Then, he meets Sophie.

Sophie Tyler is a firefighter with FDNY. She loves her job and is dedicated to always putting in 110 percent.

Once again, Kathryn Shay has penned a wonderful, family-oriented romance with great focus on the emotions of its characters in TAKING THE HEAT. If you're looking for a light and fluffy read, then take a pass on this one. This novel focuses very much on the inner struggles of its characters, from Liam dealing with being a widowed father, to Sophie earning her keep in a male-dominated job, and even Mikey, who has taken the death of his mother the hardest. Shay takes real issues that readers deal with every day and incorporates them into her romances, showing that even through all the struggles that we may face, there is still room to form the long-lasting, life-altering bonds that love is capable of sustaining.

The dynamics of this story were great, as the supporting characters were as much part of the story as Liam and Sophie. The large, and rather boisterous, O'Neil clan is so fun to read as they have their moments, both good and bad. But in the end, you know that they all love each other and would do anything to help one another in a time of need.  I liked that when Sophie is taken under their wings upon beginning work at the pub, she too, becomes wrapped up in that camaraderie as well, regardless of whether she and Liam are a couple.

The romance between Liam and Sophie is so very real. Their attraction isn't instant and rather builds over time. And getting to a place where they are okay doesn't happen with the snap of a finger because of the issues they must overcome. Everything isn't just neatly swept under the rug or tied with a big red bow, and I think that is what I loved most about their story. Even with everything else, which seems very big and daunting and almost insurmountable, you see that they are willing to go the extra mile to make things work because of the feelings they have developed for one another. Their flirtations are sexy, and their actual coupling was innately sensual as only Kathryn Shay can write.

I cannot say enough words about TAKING THE HEAT. I love the novels of Kathryn Shay, an auto buy author for myself, and this one, along with all the others, will have a special place of safekeeping on my bookshelf as it was such a satisfying read.

Maame Kanbi