Series: Bachelor Firemen (Book 6.5)
Hard-edged fireman Dean Mulligan has never been a big fan of Christmas. Twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel can’t brighten the memories of too many years spent in ramshackle foster homes. Although he’s established himself as one of the top firefighters at San Gabriel Station 1, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for someone like gorgeous Lizzie.
Lizzie Breen is used to fighting -- from her alpha male brothers, who try to smother her in the name of safety, to the life-threatening childhood illness she overcame. She knows what she and Mulligan feel for each other is a lot more than a fling, but she can’t get him to see that. The only gift Lizzie wants to give him this season is her love, but he’s not willing to accept it.
When Mulligan is trapped in the burning wreckage of a holiday store, a Christmas angel arrives to open his eyes. But is it too late? This Christmas, it’ll take an angel, a determined woman in love, and the entire Bachelor Firemen crew to make him believe … it is indeed a wonderful life.
Terrific take off on the movie It's a Wonderful Life. Dean Mulligan is the last single man on the A shift at San Gabriel Station 1. He's a bit rough around the edges and has had the reputation of being a bit of a player. He's a bit of a Grinch around Christmas, thanks to too many bad memories associated with the holidays when he was a kid. He's fallen hard for Lizzie, but doesn't believe that he's good enough for her. Lizzie is in love with Dean, but can't get him to see what they could have together. She's almost ready to move on with her life but hates to give up without a fight.
I liked both Dean and Lizzie. Being the youngest, with four older brothers, Lizzie is used to standing up for herself and fighting for what she wants. She knows that Dean has had some bad times in his life - she's seen the scars on his body - but she also sees the good and caring man under the rough exterior. Dean was terrific. He is fantastic at his job and has the respect and liking of his fellow firefighters. However, he had so many people put him down as he was growing up that he feels that he isn't relationship material.
I loved the relationship between Dean and Lizzie. There were sparks between them from the beginning, though Dean tried to ignore them. I loved some of the early scenes between them, from the baseball game where she tried to take him out to the party where she made her move on him. I ached for them both when he pushed her away because of his insecurities.
Things take a scary turn when a fire at a strip mall traps Dean in, of all places, a Christmas store. As he lays there, thinking it's the end for him, he's visited by his own version of Clarence the angel. I loved getting Dean's history and seeing the things that made him the man he is. It was especially great to see how that angel opened his eyes and gave him a new perspective on his life. While all of that was going on inside the store, on the outside Dean's fellow firefighters were working hard to get him out. I loved their support of Lizzie as she waited for news, and the way they got her involved in the rescue attempt. It's a heartwarming scene as both Dean and Lizzie come to terms with their feelings. I loved Dean's big moment - it was sweet and romantic, but also pretty funny. The ending was terrific, especially with Lizzie's Christmas gift to Dean.
I loved seeing all the firefighters from the previous books, even those who have moved on, as they showed up at the fire scene to lend a hand. It shows how tight a bond there is among them, even those that didn't know Dean. I will miss seeing this band of brothers (and sisters) and hope that maybe there will be some guest appearances in later books. I also noted that the scene with Dean and his fellow baseball player created a nice lead into the next series.
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