Audiobook Review: All Fired Up by M.K. England

M.K. England has long been one of my comfort-read authors, the kind I reach for when I want a story that is fun, heartfelt, and just a little chaotic in the best way. All Fired Up captures everything I love about their work: messy friendships, slow-burn romance, and queer joy that radiates off the page. I went into the audiobook expecting a good time, and it delivered sparks, laughs, and plenty of heart. Check out my review below!

All Fired Up

by M.K. England
Published by: Canary Street Press
on April 29, 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA+
Bookshop, Audiobook through LibroFM
Goodreads

Nicole Wells left Seattle two years ago for graduate school to study fire dynamics…and to get away from her best friend and unrequited love, Skylar Clark. Now she’s back home with a new job, ready to hit reset on her life and reconnect with her friends.

And maybe finally get together with Skylar.

Nic’s plans go up in flames when Skylar announces she’s moving to Fiji for a new business venture, in what will likely be another catastrophe for the ambitious but seldom successful BFF. That, and there’s a newcomer to Nic’s group of friends: Kira McKinney, a firefighter Nicole can’t keep her eyes off.

Worried about their friend making a huge mistake, Nicole and Kira work together to stop Skylar from leaving. When talking to her doesn’t work, there’s only one option left—shenanigans. But as all their efforts go up in smoke, one thing becomes wildly clear.
Sparks are starting to fly between Nic and Kira…

In this sapphic rom-com, a fire starter (a chemist who studies fire) and a firefighter team up to save their best friend from making an epic mistake, sparks fly (literally) and shenanigans ensue; a celebration of queer joy for fans of Casey McQuiston and Ashley Herring Blake.

Review

All Fired Up is the kind of sapphic romance that keeps you smiling from the first chapter to the last. It is heartfelt, funny, and just the right amount of messy.

The story follows Nic, a fire scientist who returns to Seattle after two years away, finally ready to reconnect with her best friend and longtime crush, Skylar. Her plans fall apart the moment Skylar announces she is quitting her job and moving to Fiji for “secret reasons.” Nic immediately knows this is a disaster in the making. Enter Kira, a bi firefighter and Skylar’s other best friend, who has been holding things down while Nic was gone. When a heartfelt conversation fails to change Skylar’s mind, Nic and Kira team up to intervene, and the spark that ignites between them is impossible to ignore.

The first half is magic, full of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and the thrill of new connection. The second half ties up a bit faster than I would have liked because I enjoyed spending time with this whole crew. Are there compantions for side characters in development? The emotional core lands beautifully. Nic and Kira’s romance feels tender and earned, with spice that is well-placed and satisfying.

Listening to this on audio was a delight. Angel Pean and Kristen DiMercurio bring Nic and Kira to life with warmth, tension, and perfect timing. Their dual narration captures both the humor and the emotional depth of the story. I especially loved how well they handled the quieter, more vulnerable moments, which made the romantic tension hit even harder.

All Fired Up is a joyful, sultry, and emotional queer romance about friendship, love, and learning to let go of the past. If you are in the mood for a bright and heartfelt listen, this one is absolutely worth queuing up.