Reckless

Kincaid’s first Rescue Squad contemporary sets up a heartwarming opposites-attract romance. When adrenaline-junkie firefighter Alex Donovan is assigned to four weeks of community service at a soup kitchen, staffer Zoe Westin immediately wants him gone; she likes to play it safe and doesn’t have time to babysit someone who thinks rules exist to be broken. Nonetheless, they establish rapport easily, and their mutual attraction is sexy and sweet. Alex nudges Zoe into learning how to ask for help, and to trust that people won’t let her down. Gradually she takes more risks, both in her job and in her personal life. Zoe’s father is Alex’s boss, so Alex won’t make a move romantically; Zoe has to pursue him. Alex’s transformation is a little more gradual, but he’s the one who decides not to keep things casual. The passion burns brightly, but Kincaid (the Pine Mountain series) makes it clear that mutual trust and respect are even more important for bringing families, lovers, and friends together. Agent: Maureen Walters, Curtis Brown Literary Agency. (Feb.)