Fire and Fog

4 “Fire Hot” Stars
This is the sixth book in the Carlisle Cops series, one of Andrew Grey’s series that I find enjoyable, easy to read, and have several previously seen characters pop up in. I definitely liked this book better than book 5, but overall, this series isn’t Grey’s best work. Fire and Fog is about a police officer, knew to town and to his duty, stumbles across a young man about to make the biggest mistake of his life… Dwayne is able to intervene and help Robin in more ways than one.

While I liked both main characters, they also came across as very stereotypical. Dwayne was a big bad police officer, new to town, and he walks into a bar… (insert joke here) and someone who looks underage, catches his eye. Robin is out of options, very young and naive, and essentially needs the police officer to save him and sweep him off his feet. It felt a bit cliched at times, but what absolutely saved the book, was the nuances each character had. Dwayne had a deep backstory and kindness to him, that balanced out the “oh shucks-ness” of him at times; and Robin, while young, was wise beyond his years in some ways. As with all of the other books in this series, the glue that holds everything together is the child that is brought into their lives and creates a fast-moving deep love between the two men.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story with an unexpected twist or two throughout (especially at the end!). Don’t forget the selflessness, reaffirmation that there are kind men out there (and yes, sometimes they are also police officers), and that love can bloom in unexpected places.

Review Copy of Fire and Fog provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest review. Reviewed by Mel at Alpha Book Club.

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Fire and Fog is Book 6 in Andrew Grey's Carlisle Cops. Personally, I find series more enjoyable when I start from the beginning and read them in the appropriate order. I know not everyone feels this is necessary and though they're wrong, we all must choose what works best for us. :) If you want to skip the other five terrific books in this series, you could get away with just reading this one without a lot of issue. There are characters from previous books in this book, and little bits of their story mentioned, but you would survive. But, really, this is a fantastic series and you'll love all of them!

I love the men of Carlisle; they're loving, supportive, open-minded, considerate and all about family in whatever shape that comes. Dwayne is the same type of man and fits into the Carlisle police force perfectly. And, just like the men in the previous stories, his behavior of being a nice guy means he rescues Robin twice in one night. Robin got more than he bargained for when he left the club with a guy, trying to make money to eat. Then when Dwayne takes him home, it turns out that Robin is now homeless because of a rental scam. Dwayne does the only thing he can do and takes Robin home to sleep on his couch. And what's supposed to be just one night, turns into more as the men of Carlisle help Robin get on his feet again. Though at first Robin comes across as a little helpless, he really did just need a boost and support. He's not interested in being saved by anyone, but is willing to take help when offered. And at first glance, Robin and Dwayne are opposites, but they both lack the support of family and they're building a new life away from that family.

I really liked Dwayne and Robin; and though their relationship doesn't take long to develop, it didn't feel like it was an instalove story when reading it. There were some elements that were pretty predictable, and I kept thinking throughout the story, please don't let the bad guys be who I think they're going to be. The bad guys were who I thought they were. I saw that coming from early on, and it cleaned up the story nicely, but it was just too predictable. And, I love that most of the men in this story have children, but man, can we go about it an easier way? 😊 I'll admit, this part of the storyline broke my heart and made me cry, but I kept thinking Robin could use her around. And, one thing that seemed a little wrong to me, was that Robin couldn't live with his sister, a single mom who struggled, but in reality, she had it together more than anyone else in this story. He totally could have stayed with her and she would have whipped his life into shape in no time at all!

If you haven't read this series, you really should do so! The whole series is fantastic, and I love reading about the family being built in Carlisle!

Rating: 4.5 stars!

Reviewed by Meredith for Diverse Reader

Fire and Fog is book 6 in Andrew Grey’s Carlisle Cops Series. I have loved this series from book one! I’d encourage you to read them in order because of all the characters you always see throughout the book but it isn’t mandatory. Each book deals with a new couple so you can technically start here but you’ll get more out of it from the beginning.



In Fire and Fog we have Dwayne and Robin as the MC’s. Dwayne is a cop for the Carlisle Police Department and pretty much the nicest guy ever. Not only does he have a heart of gold but he’s selfless to the one millionth degree. He totally saves Robin’s life from something that could and would alter his entire life and in doing so saves himself.



Robin was kicked out of his house, became part of a scam, and finds himself homeless. His life isn’t going at all well and his luck is in the trash! When Dwayne offers to help him it’s no wonder Robin doesn’t trust him.



As this story progresses we watch the struggle of two people trying to fall in love. Yes, trying. Both have pasts that have made love a difficult pill to swallow so that was an interesting journey. Of course in good Andrew Grey fashion he throws another wrench in there in the form of a child. And from there it goes nuts.



There’s a mystery in here and that was fabulous. It tore at my heart with all Robin and Dwayne go through but the story just builds and builds to a very exciting and fulfilling ending.



I recommend this book and more so this series.