Cape Pursuit, Virginia, gives Nicole Wheeler an unexpected welcome when a fire department ambulance swipes the door right off her parked car. Could there be a worse way to move to town? Kevin Ruggles, the firefighter who was driving, was hastening to a life or death call and didn't intend the damage. Later when he learns his artist friend Jane's new business manager is the lady whose car was damaged, he does feel bad. Bit late to ask for an introduction.

IN LOVE WITH THE FIREFIGHTER is the last situation Nicole wants because her family has suffered the loss of a firefighter already. She's moved from Indianapolis, keen for a fresh start and a firm where the boss doesn't hit on her. Now her car is wrecked. The bravado-fuelled talk of the firefighters at the bar doesn't impress her. She's seen it all before and doesn't like it much.

I was amused by the unorthodox treatment of the new arrival -- I know how I'd feel if someone mangled my car. But Kevin is man enough to come and explain and to apologise in person. I never knew there was a fire science degree, but Kevin is taking one. Another firefighter pal, Charlie Zimmerman, is keener on a career as a realtor and maybe buying and selling houses himself. He means well but he's not ready for responsibility, which is a pity, because someone in town wishes he was.

As the cover illustration shows, a lost little cat is involved, and Kevin is a sucker for animals. Of course, the men in this coastal Virginia town like to think they are irreplaceable, and they do great work. Readers had better be ready for a stream of emergencies around town. But I like that the women are more than capable of running businesses, building websites, taking charge of their own lives. Jane doesn't seem to use a surname, which I ascribe to her artistic tendencies. All in all, I found a lot to like in this very well written novel of fresh starts and romance.

Amie Denman has now written 25 books in her series such as White Pine Island and Starlight Point. This is the first in a new series Cape Pursuit Firefighters. She packs a great many useful tips about first aid into the family-friendly adventure called IN LOVE WITH THE FIREFIGHTER. We should all be so lucky.