The Fireworks

By: Nicole Pyland

Narrated by: Carolyn Eve

This is book three in the Holiday series.

Aria Bancroft had been in love exactly one time. It didn’t go well, and ever since, she’s been floundering. Choosing sex over relationships and working as a freelance editor more to have something to do than anything else worked for a time. But as her friends begin to couple off with their new girlfriends, Aria begins to wonder if she can ever feel that kind of love again.

London Carlson met a girl in high school and fell in love. After moving away, she tried to find that kind of connection with other women, but it was never the same. London focused on her friendships instead, and with two of those friends, she decided to open a bakery that happened to be in the same city where that long-lost love lived now.

It was July 4, and Aria had just gotten back from Europe. She didn’t want to go to the annual fireworks display downtown, but her friends wouldn’t let her off the hook. Seeing the woman she’d only known as a teenager shook Aria to her core, and she couldn’t believe the girl she’d once thought to be the love of her young life was standing right in front of her. Now that they’re both adults, can they put their past behind them and search for what could still be possible?

©2021 Nicole Pyland (P)2022 Nicole Pyland

Another Great Story, Lots of Emotion

The third book in the Holiday series starts off with a bang. Quite literally. I've enjoyed the first two books in this series so far, so I knew going into this one, I would have a blast listening to it.

Starting off with a bang... in more ways than one. The Fireworks takes us into the world of Aria. Opening up with another fling of hers, it feels different this time. Not because she feels something with the fling but because she's tired of the "game". She wants to settle down and find someone to love her as much as she loves them.

(Warning, there are some slight spoilers here, I just can't do my review and not talk about certain scenes. I tried to talk around them as much as I could).

I did NOT expect the person that came into her life. The backstory and the way that The Fireworks went back and forth to their origin story and back to the present was a nice touch. Pyland always has a way of pulling at my heartstrings, but in this one - especially towards the end when London is having a conversation with her dad, I was in a full sob. And not a happy one that I'm used to. I thought Pyland captured the emotions and the feelings perfectly here, but it was hard to read knowing some friends and family members coming out stories.

The Fireworks was another great book in this series that I flew through, wanting to get to the happy ending. I didn't know how we would get there or when it would happen, but I knew when it did, I was going to be beaming. I thought Pyland did a good job with the HEA, but with a slight caveat (related to what I was just talking about). Those things don't just change overnight, and I'm glad Pyland didn't force the fully happy ending.

My Exploding Heart

Aria Bancroft had lost the only person she had ever loved during high school. Now with her friends beginning to couple up she’s wants that feeling again. She breaks up with her long time lookups, deletes the dating apps and all the phone numbers. When she returns from Europe and goes to the July Fourth fireworks she sees her long ago love across the crowd. Can Ari will London Carlson’s heart this time or will she be forever alone? Wonderful romance and series.

A fire!!!

I loved this story when I read it, it’s my favorite of the series. Don’t get me wrong Paisley’s story gave it a run for its money, but The Fireworks is still my favorite! The story was narrated perfectly! Of course the story was written perfectly! I know a lot of people are hesitant about audio books but with right narration it makes it a whole world of its own! Carolyn Eve fantastic job! And of course Nicole Pyland just WOW!!!

Forever Fireworks!

This is book 3 of the Holiday Series.

This is Aria's story. Of the 6 friends the series is based on, I wasn't sure if I would like Aria's story since I couldn't relate at all to her. Nicole Pyland sure proved me wrong, again!

In the previous two books, Aria sees friends Weston and Talon partner up. You see her struggle with wanting to keep to one night stands to wanting something more. She definitely came across as a bit superficial. We find out why Aria has been struggling for so long.

This book brought all the feels!

Aria knew she liked girls and was blown away the day she met London when they were both 15. They were BFF's and then life happened. Don't want to give away too much.

A chance meeting at the Fireworks, and it was like time stood still for Aria and London.

We get to see a side of Aria that even her friends hadn't seen much of, and watch her change and grow in this book with her friends rooting for her.

Narrator, Carolyn Eve, did a great job with all of the characters. You could clearly tell the flashback scenes and the impact they had on the characters. London has a "complicated" relationship with her dad who does not support who she really is. Ms Eve really brought out the emotions Nicole Pyland probably intended.

Great book, great series, great narrator, great author!