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Sap & Secrets

A Surprise Baby Firefighter Romance (Maplewood, Book 1)

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Sap & Secrets

By: Daphne Elliot
Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Connor Crais
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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.

Authors 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
Anthologies & Short Stories Contemporary Genre Fiction Small Town & Rural Women's Fiction Small Town Feel-Good Heartfelt Funny
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This isn't the best of Ms Elliot’s novels which are available in audio but it's a perfectly easy listen which hits all the right spots. An unexpected pregnancy; one-time lovers who then fall for one another only gradually; a lovely small town community; the close knit family on one side and the completely dysfunctional one on the other; people who bake and read; a small amount of danger; gentle and respectful spice (about 🌶️🌶️/5 on my scales); a plot twist which comes out of the blue (but seems absolutely inappropriate - as though it's been dropped in just to finish the danger off - but does it?)

The narration was lovely. I wouldn't expect any less from Mr Crais who could read the Highway Code to me and I’d be happy. If you haven't heard him before, he can voice anyone from a young New Englander to an older Irish mob boss with equal aplomb. Ms Edwin is a new narrator for me but has a warm, mid-octave voice without any hint of breathiness or overdone growliness. She voiced Evie perfectly - initially the confused new Mum, growing into self-confidence as her feelings and respect for Jasper grow. I’ll happily listen to her voice again. The audio production quality is excellent - no chapters cut short by the odd word or two and no sudden changes in sound volume.

Ms Elliot writes long family sagas very well. Though this is currently (February ‘26) sold as the first of a two part series, it can be listened to as a standalone. I hope it turns into a longer family story, taking in siblings from both sides. Jasper has quite a few brothers and sisters and Evie has a couple of sisters too so there's plenty to go at and 2 books might turn into more. So long as they appear in Audible, I’ll be buying. Josh and Celine or Nolan and Francis next? My bet (if I were a betting woman) would be on the former.

Happy listening!

The gorgeous hidden gem meets the bearer of good news with a lovely outcome!

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Listener received this title free

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️

🍁plus size FMC
🍁surprise baby
🍁small town
🍁found family
🍁endometriosis
🍁protective MMC

Author: Daphne Elliot

Sap & Secrets is the first book in the Maplewood series. Evie has recently moved to the small town of Maplewood a few years ago. She came to visit and fell in love with the views and the safe small town. Jasper has grown up in Maplewood his entire life. His family has a farm where he grew up. Evie is a beautiful curvy boss baddie. She works in advertising for the maple tree and sap company. This book starts off with a bang. Evie goes into labor in the pizza parlor. Jasper is the first on the scene. The only problem is, she didn’t know she was pregnant. Surprise! Jasper asked if she knew who the father was? Surprise number two, he is the father. Jasper quickly steps into a protective papa bear. He wants to help Evie raise their son and protect them. Evie has endometriosis and has very irregular cycles. She was not prepared to be a mother. She grew up with an alcoholic father and dismissive mother. She had a verbally abusive past and doesn’t trust men or know how to let one in. She has built walls in place to protect herself. Jasper’s family is under investigation due to a death on the farm. Evie has found a support group in her friends she has made here in this small town. I love Evie and Jasper so much. Can’t wait to read more of this series.

Vanessa Edwin and Connor Crais did an incredible job narrating this book in duet style narration.

Sap & Secrets

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Okay for an audible book
Stab at erotica was rather boring
apart from that , I enjoyed the story line and characters

narrator was clear and precise

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Sappy, dependable guy, an annoying overthinker of a woman made this a nice easy read with low spice

I Enjoyed!

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As a low-angst comfort read it was fine. For those looking for a bit more originality and depth; this aint it. It was straight out boring, predictable and had all the clichés. The male narrator was excellent, the female exaggerates to the point where its a struggle to listen to.

Predictable

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