Wildfire by Hannah Grace

A Steamy Second Chance Romance That’ll Have You Wishing for S’more

Ah, summer camp. The smell of pine trees, the crackle of bonfires, and… the simmering sexual tension between counselors? In Hannah Grace’s latest Maple Hills novel, Wildfire, she takes us back to those heady days of summer lovin’—but with a whole lot more steam than your average game of spin the bottle.

Listen, I’m a sucker for a good camp romance. There’s just something about all that fresh air and forced proximity that gets the hormones raging, you know? And Grace definitely delivers on that front. But what really sets Wildfire by Hannah Grace apart is how she balances the steamy scenes (and boy, are they steamy) with some genuinely touching character development.

The Story: From One-Night Stand to One Long Summer

So here’s the deal: Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts hook up at an end-of-year college party. It’s hot, it’s passionate, and it’s supposed to be a one-time thing. Aurora slips out before Russ can even get her number (classic move, girl). But fate’s got other plans, because guess who both show up as counselors at Honey Acres summer camp?

Yep, you guessed it. Cue the awkward reunions and longing glances across the campfire.

Now, normally I’d be rolling my eyes at this kind of coincidence. But Grace makes it work, mostly because both Russ and Aurora have actual reasons for being at the camp beyond just plot convenience. Russ is trying to escape his dad’s gambling addiction drama, while Aurora’s looking to recapture the sense of belonging she felt at camp as a kid.

The Characters: More Than Just Pretty Faces

Let’s talk about our main squeezes, shall we?

Russ Callaghan: The Cinnamon Roll Hockey Player

First up, we’ve got Russ. He’s your classic good guy—a hockey player with a heart of gold and abs you could grate cheese on. But what I really appreciated about Russ is that he’s not just a cardboard cutout of perfection. The guy’s got some serious daddy issues (thanks to his gambling addict father) and a boatload of insecurity. Watching him gradually open up to Aurora and learn to trust was honestly pretty heartwarming.

Aurora Roberts: The Firecracker with a Soft Center

Then there’s Aurora. Oh, Aurora. I’ll be honest, at first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like her. She comes across as this wild child party girl, always chasing the next thrill. But as we get to know her, we see that it’s all a defense mechanism. The girl’s got some major abandonment issues thanks to her neglectful dad. Seeing her slowly let her walls down and realize she deserves real love?

The Romance: Hot Enough to Start a… Well, You Know

Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. The chemistry between Russ and Aurora is off the charts. Like, seriously, I’m surprised the pages didn’t spontaneously combust. Grace knows how to write a steamy scene, and she doesn’t hold back here.

But what I really loved was how the physical attraction developed into a deeper emotional connection. There’s this great scene where they’re sneaking around after hours (breaking all kinds of camp rules, tsk tsk) and end up having this really vulnerable conversation about their fears and insecurities. It’s those quiet moments that really sold me on their relationship.

The Setting: Summer Camp Nostalgia Overload

Can we talk about how perfectly Grace captures the summer camp vibe? As someone who spent way too many summers covered in bug bites and sunburn, I felt like I was right back there. The descriptions of the lake, the cabins, even the mess hall food—it all felt so authentic.

And don’t even get me started on the secondary characters. The other counselors, especially Xander and Emilia, added so much life to the story. I lowkey want a whole book just about the camp shenanigans.

The Writing: Funny, Fresh, and Feels-Packed

Hannah Grace has a way with words, y’all. Her writing style is super accessible and often laugh-out-loud funny. There were multiple times I had to put the book down because I was cackling too hard (the scene with the possum? I died).

But she also knows how to hit you right in the feels when you least expect it. There’s this one part where Aurora is talking about why she loves camp so much, and I may or may not have teared up a little. No judgment, okay?

The Verdict: A Summer Fling Worth Committing To

Look, is Wildfire by Hannah Grace groundbreaking literature? Nah. But it is a damn good time. If you’re in the mood for a steamy romance with characters you can actually root for, this is your jam. It’s the perfect beach read or, you know, curl-up-under-a-blanket-and-pretend-it’s-summer read.

Would definitely recommend, especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series, Icebreaker.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Fans of new adult romance with actual character development
• Anyone who’s ever had a summer camp crush (so… everyone?)
• People who appreciate a good slow burn with explosive payoff
• Readers looking for a fun, sexy escape from reality

Who Should Maybe Skip It?

• Those who prefer their romance on the sweet and chaste side (this gets pretty steamy, folks)
• Readers who can’t stand the “miscommunication” trope (there’s a bit of that here)
• Anyone triggered by discussions of parental abandonment or addiction

Final Thoughts: Bring on Book 3!

Wildfire by Hannah Grace is a solid addition to the Maple Hills series, and it’s got me hyped for the next installment, Daydream. If you’re new to Hannah Grace’s work, this is a great place to jump in. And if you’re already a fan, you won’t be disappointed.

So grab your bug spray, pack your sleeping bag, and get ready for a summer romance that’ll leave you feeling warm and fuzzy long after the last page. Just maybe don’t read it around any actual campfires—we don’t want to be responsible for any real wildfires, you know?

Other Books in the Series:

• Icebreaker
• Daydream

Similar Books You Might Enjoy:

• “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han
• “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
• “Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren

Alright, campers, that’s all for now. Remember: what happens at summer camp, stays at summer camp… unless, of course, it turns into a bestselling romance novel. Now if you’ll excuse me, I suddenly have the urge to go make some s’mores and stare longingly at a bonfire.