Review – Off the Clock (First Responders #1) by Donna Alward

Description:
The last thing she needs is a hero…

Paramedic Gabe Brennan’s job is saving lives. When he witnesses an accident and rushes in to help, the victim brings back memories of the night that marked him forever. The night he almost couldn’t save his best friend, Brandon. Brandon’s sister is in the car. She’s pregnant. And his longing for her is just as sharp as ever.

Carly’s never been so glad to see a friendly face. Gabe’s gallant rescue-and the gentle kiss he bestows upon her at the hospital-resurrect feelings she buried long ago. Having just closed the book on a crumbling marriage, she’s not too keen on opening herself up to hurt again. Not even for the one man who’s always seemed to be there when she needed him most.

Gabe knows he shouldn’t be falling for Carly, especially since she insists she’s off the market. But the chemistry still simmering between them after all these years is no accident. Now all he has to do is convince her she belongs in the empty space he’s always held open for her. The one next to his heart…

Caution: Contents-and paramedic hero-may be too hot to handle

An off duty paramedic witnessing an accident and discovering a very pregnant friend from his past begins the rollercoaster ride that is Off The Clock. This is a story of what ifs and it’s told beautifully by author, Donna Alward.

Gabe Brennan can’t begin to comprehend the feelings he has when he finds Carly Douglas at the scene of a hit and run accident. She is the sister of his former best friend who he had feeling for long ago. When Carly comes to, the first person she sees is Gabe, her girlhood crush. We soon find out some of their history but the rest of their story comes throughout the book as their feelings toward each other grow. Carly is now divorced and faces single parenthood, her ex wants nothing to do with the baby. Gabe has some demons in his closet from a long ago incident that he still feels guilt over.

They both have to overcome some big issues and neither one is very good about communicating what they are thinking or feeling. It was so obvious these two had amazing chemistry and feelings for each other but facing their fears nearly tears them apart. Their path to happily ever after is filled with land mines and I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t sure they were going to get there.

I enjoyed Off The Clock, while there were some scenes that had me scratching my head, overall I was hoping that Gabe and Carly would figure out they are good together. I like that their relationship wasn’t tied up in a neat package with a pretty little bow, that’s not real life and Donna did a fantastic job making their story realistic. This book is a great start to a series and I look forward to reading the next one.

3.75 Stars