Sap & Secrets

A Surprise Baby Firefighter Romance (Maplewood, Book 1)

A Surprise Baby Firefighter Romance from Amazon Bestselling Author Daphne Elliot

Nine months ago, I had one perfect, reckless night with Jasper Lawrence, the tall, tattooed firefighter who made me feel fearless. I told myself it was a mistake I’d never repeat.

Then he finds me at the Maple Festival… in labor with our surprise baby.

The best part? I had no idea I was pregnant.

Now Jasper is everywhere. The two of us stumble through new parenthood together. And he doesn’t just step up, he moves in. Almost. He pitches a tent in my backyard and sleeps outside so he’s never far away from us. He’s a shirtless, helpful menace who cooks, cleans, and cuddles our son. He makes me feel safe, seen, and wanted. And I hate how much I love it.

Every time I shove him away, he shows back up, golden retriever energy and all, with coffee and pastries in tow, ready to carry the baby, the groceries, and occasionally me.

I came to Maplewood, Vermont, to discover my independence. But it’s hard to keep my distance when the town’s been shaken by danger, the scars from my past refuse to stay buried, and the firefighter I should absolutely avoid keeps setting my world on fire.

Turns out the biggest threat to me in America’s most charming small town might be the man who won’t stop rescuing me.

Author’s Note: Sap & Secrets is a small-town romance featuring a curvy black cat, a tattooed golden retriever, and a (very cute) surprise baby. If you enjoy acts of service, small-town shenanigans, and maple syrup madness, you will not be disappointed.

Series Blurb: Welcome to Maplewood, Vermont. America’s Most Charming Small Town has some dark, sticky secrets. Come for the maple syrup, festivals, and cheese wars; stay for swoon.

©2026 Melody Publishing, LLC (P)2026 Melody Publishing, LLC

Perfect Book Boyfriend, Frustrating FMC

The MMC was the definition of a perfect book boyfriend — patient, emotionally mature, and always going above and beyond. He carried this story.

The FMC made it hard to enjoy. Her trauma added context, but it often felt like an excuse for selfish behavior. Just when she seemed to grow, she’d make everything about herself again.

He deserved better.

I chose this book because of the female narrator Vanessa Edwin

Storyline was easy to follow however the treatment of Jasper was quite exhausting I am patiently awaiting book 2

Great but repetitive.

Storyline & performance was outstanding but, material was repetitive. I would probably listen again later on.

Enjoyed this first in a new DE series…

S&S was an enjoyable first in a series with the beginnings of an intriguing mystery, a compelling MMC, and an endearing cast of characters. It was enjoyable to follow Jasper try and break down Evie’s walls and show her that he wanted her just as much as the baby they made. I’m not usually one for the surprise baby trope, but Elliot makes it work well. Vincent is adorable and his arrival is more than just a spur for the character growth of his parents.

I definitely was more in tune to Jasper as a character. He he is a positive person but not blindly so. There’s a lot of depth behind his attitude and Elliot does a really good job of developing him in that way. It took me a little longer to warm up to Evie, I think because she has those walls that not only Jasper has to get through but the reader as well. However, I suppose that means Elliot did her job with the FMC, too! Still, it did take me longer to warm to her, so I look forward to revisiting this when the audio releases to see how the narration changes my mind about Evie. Stay tuned for an audiobook review addendum!

There’s also great found family vibes for Evie in Ruby and and Frankie. Plus solid blood family vibes with the Lawrence clan. Hoping to see what else plays out for them as the series continues and since Josh is next, thankfully the wait won’t be long! Elliot has also created another enjoyable small New England town, this time in Vermont, and the setting is really working for me so far.

Overall, I definitely recommend this one. Whether you’re in it for the small town vibes with some found family flair, a bit of mystery, or an irresistible, genuinely good, golden retriever firefighter, you’ll have a good time!

Thanks to The Author Agency and Daphne Elliot for the chance to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (January 2026)

Audiobook Addendum

Upon a second encounter in audio, S&S remains an enjoyable first in series with the beginnings of an intriguing mystery, a compelling MMC, and an endearing cast of characters. When I first read it, I was pulled in by the small town vibes, found family flair, the budding mystery, and the irresistible, and the irresistible good guy, golden retriever firefighter at the core. That didn’t change with my audio re-visit. What I loved the first time out, I still love. At the time, I wondered how the audio might shift the aspect of the book I struggled with a little - FMC, Evie. And thanks to Vanessa Edwin’s wonderful performance, it absolutely did!

I’ve been looking forward to this audio re-visit to Maplewood and I am so happy with the results! Edwin and her co-narrator, Connor Crais, absolutely nailed this duet. I already adored Jasper, but Crais worked his usual magic and multiplied the MMC appeal. All the best bits of Jasper shine. I’ve already more than implied that Vanessa Edwin was a wonderful Evie. She really helped me see the character differently and made it easier to appreciate the nuance that Elliot was going for with her FMC. Both narrators were also great at fleshing out the full cast of characters, adding touches that set each apart. I particularly love how Edwin’s choices for Frankie and Ruby differentiated their personalities and augmented the fabulous friendship vibes. And now I’m more excited for Frankie’s story! Though Jasper’s big brother Josh seems to me up next and I can’t say I’m mad about it!

Press play on this one! You’ll enjoy every minute.

I’m grateful to Ear Candy Promos for the chance to hear this ALC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. (February 2026)

OMG The Swoon!!

Ugh I loved this Audiobook. Fabulous Author and amazing narrators who brought the story to life!!