" ... Carmine Valentine has a fantastic sense of precision plotting and suspense, and that results in
a brilliantly woven web of threats, kidnappings, and long-held secrets. With a constant
undercurrent of danger, readers are sure to be turning pages in quick succession and burning
through this read. The novel features a well-arranged blend of mystery and romance where
neither element overshadows the other, and this balance keeps the story fast-paced and
heartfelt. From whale-watching posters to the eerie, decaying Heron Inn, the atmospheric
setting of Orcas Island feels alive with detail, perfectly matching the emotions and mood of the
strong romantic tension. Marianne and Jack’s chemistry builds naturally through banter,
suspicion, and shared danger, with some well-illustrated family dynamics and engaging side
characters to add to the realism and emotion. Figures like Royce and Caroline enrich the stakes
with unique dialogue touches, while Marianne’s romantic worldview contrasts with Jack’s
pragmatic, secretive nature to offer a lot of flavor and variety to the personalities readers
encounter. The theming is subtly done and beautifully built to feel significant, so modern
audiences will want to get their teeth into relevant central questions about who we can trust and
whether damaged people can forge lasting bonds. A dramatic love story with a heart of gold, All
Fired Up is a suspenseful, slow-burn romance where the bonds of family, loyalty, and love are
tested by betrayal and the shadow of violence."

"All Fired Up blends romance with a thread of mystery, following Marianne and Jack as they find themselves tangled in old secrets, new dangers, and a slow-burning connection that grows warmer with every chapter. The story moves between personal histories, hidden truths, and the quiet charm of Pacific Northwest islands, all while nudging the characters toward each other in ways they don’t expect.
As I read, I found myself enjoying the easy rhythm of the writing. The tone feels laid back one moment and tense the next, which kept me guessing and leaning in. The bits of humor scattered through the story softened the heavier moments in a way that felt natural. I also liked how the setting worked almost like another character. The ferries, the rain, the small communities. It all added a cozy mood that made the danger pop a little more.
There were times when I wanted the pacing to be steadier, but I still found myself pulled along by the characters. Jack and Marianne have a fun kind of spark. It’s sweet, sometimes messy, sometimes frustrating in the way real people are. I appreciated that their connection wasn’t rushed. Watching them circle each other, open up, and slip into something deeper made me smile more than once.
By the end, I felt satisfied. The emotional threads landed, the mystery wrapped up nicely, and the romance paid off in a warm, soft way. I’d recommend this book to readers who love cozy mysteries, small town settings, and slow-burn romances with heartfelt moments. If you want something that mixes danger with tenderness and a little island charm, this will be right up your alley."

"Carmine Valentine's All Fired Up opens with undeniable charm. The meet-cute between Marianne and Jack on the ferry to Orcas Island sets the tone for what promises to be a captivating blend of romance and mystery. Valentine's prose flows effortlessly, pulling readers into the moody Pacific Northwest setting with descriptive precision that never overwhelms.

The author clearly knows this landscape intimately, and it shows. You can feel the salt air, hear the creak of the old Perrigo Mansion, and sense the island's secrets lurking beneath its serene surface. The romantic tension between the opposites-attract leads is the novel's strongest asset. Valentine crafts their slow-burn connection with skill, balancing warmth, spice, and flirtation in just the right measures.

Marianne and Jack's chemistry crackles on the page, and their reluctant partnership feels organic as they navigate both personal baggage and shared danger. The author's handling of their relationship demonstrates why readers compare her work to Nora Roberts and Barbara Freethy.

However, the mystery component struggles to match the romance's polish. While the setup involving stolen jewels and dangerous secrets from an older generation intrigues initially, the unfolding feels too straightforward. Red herrings are either absent or weak, making the path to resolution predictable. The pacing, so confident in the book's first half, becomes uneven once danger escalates. Some scenes move too slowly while others rush past moments that deserved more development.

The danger scenes lack the necessary edge. Threats that should evoke genuine fear or anxiety feel oddly bland. The stakes never quite land with the weight they need, leaving readers emotionally detached during moments designed for tension. The resolution compounds this issue, wrapping up so quickly that the entire conflict feels anticlimactic, almost insignificant compared to the buildup.

As the first in The Barefoot by Moonlight Series, the book establishes an intriguing premise where writers must take a dare to create their best work in an assigned location. Valentine succeeds in weaving the series concept naturally into the narrative without making it feel gimmicky.

The supporting cast, including Marianne's brother Ian and best friend Fiona, are drawn up just enough to generate interest in their own upcoming stories. This world-building suggests Valentine has a clear vision for the series arc, even if this inaugural installment doesn't fully deliver on all its promises.

All these elements make All Fired Up an enjoyable read despite its mystery missteps. Fans of cozy mysteries with strong romantic elements will find much to appreciate here, particularly if they prioritize character chemistry over intricate plotting."

"Carmine Valentine’s All Fired Up, the first book in The Barefoot by Moonlight series, is a romantic suspense novel that blends small-town intrigue, a slow-burning love story, and a touch of humor into a highly readable escape. From the opening ferry scene, where romance novelist Marianne Dunaway rear-ends a mysterious biker’s motorcycle, to the creeping sense that someone is watching her at her newly purchased mansion on Orcas Island, Valentine hooks readers with a delightful mix of charm and danger.

What makes All Fired Up stand out is its smooth fusion of cozy mystery and classic romantic tension. Marianne, a writer returning reluctantly to her Pacific Northwest hometown for a dare, is instantly relatable. She’s smart, self-deprecating, and just the right amount of klutzy, like when her “lipstick magic” superstition leads her into trouble, or when she tumbles straight into the arms of the “pirate biker” she just hit. Valentine balances these comedic beats with sharp suspense, layering hints of secrets, family betrayal, and hidden histories. There’s a steady hum of tension under the story’s warmth, making readers wonder who can be trusted in the sleepy island community.

The chemistry between Marianne and Jack Sanders, the biker who’s more soldier than outlaw, gives the novel its emotional heartbeat. Their interactions, which are flirty, awkward, and surprisingly heartfelt, feel authentic and not forced. The dialogue sparkles with playful rhythm, and Valentine’s writing captures that rare blend of sensuality and innocence. One of my favorite aspects of the book is how the romance never overshadows the mystery. Jack’s reasons for being on Orcas Island, the strange note accusing Marianne of having “traitor in your blood,” and the eccentric locals (including a shotgun-wielding neighbor and a sister with secrets) create a vivid world that feels alive and cinematic.

Valentine’s prose is descriptive but not overindulgent; her settings pulse with atmosphere. You can practically feel the salty air of the ferry ride, the creak of the old Perrigo Mansion, and the cold mist rolling off the harbor. The Pacific Northwest becomes more than a backdrop; it’s a living part of the story, moody and mysterious, mirroring Marianne’s own emotional journey.

Readers who enjoy romantic suspense with heart will find All Fired Up deeply satisfying. Fans of authors like Nora Roberts, Barbara Freethy, or Christina Dodd’s Pacific Northwest series will feel right at home. It’s also a great pick for cozy mystery lovers who want a touch of danger without the grit of darker thrillers. The book’s second edition shows Valentine’s polish as a storyteller: it’s confident, witty, and layered with emotional truth beneath the romantic tension.

At its heart, All Fired Up is about rediscovery of love, courage, and one’s own voice. It’s a story that proves you can come home again, even when “home” holds more secrets than you bargained for."