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From the Embers
In the aftermath of tragedy, it’s strange the things you remember.
The deafening boom as the house exploded.
The paralyzing fear as I searched for my wife.
The blinding smoke burning my eyes as I carried her out.
But carved into my soul for the rest of my days would be the earth-shattering realization that the woman in my arms wasn’t my wife.
Bree and I were the only survivors—not that either of us were truly living after that night. As a single dad with nowhere else to go, I moved into her guest house. And somehow, through the guilt and grief, we forged an unlikely team.
It took years, but I watched the gradual return of her smile—slow and life-altering.
The two of us could sit outside for hours, talking about nothing, and it filled the massive hole in my chest with new life.
I may have carried her out of that fire, but the truth was, Bree saved me.
As we healed, the secrets and lies of the past smoldered in the ashes, threatening to ignite again.
Our love was born from the embers, and together we would go up in flames.
The deafening boom as the house exploded.
The paralyzing fear as I searched for my wife.
The blinding smoke burning my eyes as I carried her out.
But carved into my soul for the rest of my days would be the earth-shattering realization that the woman in my arms wasn’t my wife.
Bree and I were the only survivors—not that either of us were truly living after that night. As a single dad with nowhere else to go, I moved into her guest house. And somehow, through the guilt and grief, we forged an unlikely team.
It took years, but I watched the gradual return of her smile—slow and life-altering.
The two of us could sit outside for hours, talking about nothing, and it filled the massive hole in my chest with new life.
I may have carried her out of that fire, but the truth was, Bree saved me.
As we healed, the secrets and lies of the past smoldered in the ashes, threatening to ignite again.
Our love was born from the embers, and together we would go up in flames.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2021
About the author
Aly Martinez
52 books7,724 followersOriginally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,590 reviews
May 23, 2021
3.5 Stars
I loathe the dead ex trope...loathe it...
...unless it's written by Nicole Jacquelyn or Aly Martinez. And then I'm willing to die on the proverbial Dead Ex Hill. With funeral bells on.
And this book not only had the dead ex thing going on...it had it twice over.
But it was fine. Because, like I said...Aly Martinez.
Anyway, things were going well and I was liking the couple well enough...I did feel like I was being told their story instead of shown it at times...and I feel like some things were little rushed....but I still thought their connection was decent. And the kids and their relationship with the kids was adorable.
But then the last part of the book happened...
And I felt like we were in a bad episode of General Hospital.
It suddenly felt like a completely different book that was a little too fantastical. I would have liked it more had it stayed...grounded. But oh well. It was a decent read and I enjoyed it well enough.
I loathe the dead ex trope...loathe it...
...unless it's written by Nicole Jacquelyn or Aly Martinez. And then I'm willing to die on the proverbial Dead Ex Hill. With funeral bells on.
And this book not only had the dead ex thing going on...it had it twice over.
But it was fine. Because, like I said...Aly Martinez.
Anyway, things were going well and I was liking the couple well enough...I did feel like I was being told their story instead of shown it at times...and I feel like some things were little rushed....but I still thought their connection was decent. And the kids and their relationship with the kids was adorable.
But then the last part of the book happened...
And I felt like we were in a bad episode of General Hospital.
It suddenly felt like a completely different book that was a little too fantastical. I would have liked it more had it stayed...grounded. But oh well. It was a decent read and I enjoyed it well enough.
June 24, 2021
a friends review compared this to CoHos
‘regretting you,’
and after knowing that, i couldnt stop seeing the plot comparisons.
not that thats a bad thing, especially if you enjoyed ‘regretting you,’ which i did. but the characters in this are entirely their own, so it was interesting to see a very similar plot played out with completely different characters. especially eason - he totally stole the show. i think the single dad trope is really growing on me.
my biggest issue was with the ‘twist.’ not the fact that there is a twist, but because it doesnt fit the tone or feel of the story. its as if its only included because of the lack of overall tension and the story needed some sort of opposition. so random suspense just for the sake of suspense doesnt really work for me.
but still, this is a cute story with a good message.
↠ 3.5 stars
not that thats a bad thing, especially if you enjoyed ‘regretting you,’ which i did. but the characters in this are entirely their own, so it was interesting to see a very similar plot played out with completely different characters. especially eason - he totally stole the show. i think the single dad trope is really growing on me.
my biggest issue was with the ‘twist.’ not the fact that there is a twist, but because it doesnt fit the tone or feel of the story. its as if its only included because of the lack of overall tension and the story needed some sort of opposition. so random suspense just for the sake of suspense doesnt really work for me.
but still, this is a cute story with a good message.
↠ 3.5 stars
August 20, 2021
glad to know i’m still a fan of aly martinez romances.
like always, there’s a heavy emphasis on the emotions and on absolutely ridiculous plot twists. and somehow it kinda works every time.
the comparisons to colleen hoover’s regretting you are pretty inevitable but the stylistic differences are so large imo that they’re far from being the same book. if the twist in regretting you felt unsatisfying, i think you might prefer the execution of that same twist in this book.
only thing i think could have used a bit of improvement is the show not tell aspect. given the set up of the story, time jumps were necessary but i would have liked to SEE gradual progression from grief to love.
like always, there’s a heavy emphasis on the emotions and on absolutely ridiculous plot twists. and somehow it kinda works every time.
the comparisons to colleen hoover’s regretting you are pretty inevitable but the stylistic differences are so large imo that they’re far from being the same book. if the twist in regretting you felt unsatisfying, i think you might prefer the execution of that same twist in this book.
only thing i think could have used a bit of improvement is the show not tell aspect. given the set up of the story, time jumps were necessary but i would have liked to SEE gradual progression from grief to love.
May 30, 2021
4 stars
I'll be honest, this is the kind of book that a lot of times is too much for me. Too many twists, too much drama, and a troupe I don't love, but it's Aly Martinez so you know I had to read it. And I'm so glad I did. I love everything Aly writes and this was no exception. It had loads of angst, emotion, and some suspense.
Jessica and Eason are married and best friends with another married couple, Bree and Rob. They're getting together for a couples date when their entire world is changed. Two of the friends make it out of a house fire, the other two don't. Eason and Bree both must learn to live without their spouse and raise their children as single parents.
Bree and Eason have never particularly got along, but since Eason and Rob were best friends, and Jessica and Bree were best friends, they tolerated each other. Now that they're helping one another and trying to raise their children with as much normalcy as possible, they start to see different sides of one another.
I was a little worried I wouldn't love the romance aspect of this book, but I truly loved Bree and Eason together. This could have potentially been a five star read for me, but man... the hits kept coming. Like, my stomach dropped when I saw the first twist unravel... then, when the next turn came. It was a bit much for me. Even so, I truly adored a lot of this story. I loved the romance, the bonds the children developed and how it all ended.
“I’m terrified that, if we keep screaming into the past, the future is going to be nothing but an echo.”
I'll be honest, this is the kind of book that a lot of times is too much for me. Too many twists, too much drama, and a troupe I don't love, but it's Aly Martinez so you know I had to read it. And I'm so glad I did. I love everything Aly writes and this was no exception. It had loads of angst, emotion, and some suspense.
Jessica and Eason are married and best friends with another married couple, Bree and Rob. They're getting together for a couples date when their entire world is changed. Two of the friends make it out of a house fire, the other two don't. Eason and Bree both must learn to live without their spouse and raise their children as single parents.
Bree and Eason have never particularly got along, but since Eason and Rob were best friends, and Jessica and Bree were best friends, they tolerated each other. Now that they're helping one another and trying to raise their children with as much normalcy as possible, they start to see different sides of one another.
I was a little worried I wouldn't love the romance aspect of this book, but I truly loved Bree and Eason together. This could have potentially been a five star read for me, but man... the hits kept coming. Like, my stomach dropped when I saw the first twist unravel... then, when the next turn came. It was a bit much for me. Even so, I truly adored a lot of this story. I loved the romance, the bonds the children developed and how it all ended.
Our bond might have been forged through tragedy, but our love flourished through patience, genuine respect, and understanding.
September 23, 2023
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 4,5 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
Uma história lindíssima, apesar de ter um pouco de drama a mais para o meu gosto, previsível e um pouco forçada no final.
Apesar disso, adorei.
Mesmo sendo demasiado perfeito.
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A beautiful story, despite having a little too much drama for my taste, predictable and a little forced at the end.
Despite that, I loved it.
Even though it's too perfect.
════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════
Adorei a personagem de Eason.
Bree aprendi a gostar.
Como alguém consegue superar não conseguir salvar as pessoas mais importantes da sua vida num incêndio?
Como salva a pessoa menos importante?
Como perdoar ser salva, enquanto os outros não foram?
════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════
I loved Eason's character.
Bree I learned to like it.
How can someone overcome not being able to save the most important people in their life in a fire?
How do you save the least important person?
How to forgive being saved, while others were not?
════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════
Eason é casado com a melhor amiga de Bree.
Bree é casada com o melhor amigo de Eason.
O relacionamento deles é complicado, Bree não gosta de Eason, não o considera suficiente para a melhor amiga.
Nunca se permitiu conhecer o verdadeiro Eason, até que a tragédia a força a conhecer quem ele realmente é.
════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════
Eason is married to Bree's best friend.
Bree is married to Eason's best friend.
Their relationship is complicated, Bree doesn't like Eason, she doesn't consider him enough for her best friend.
She never allowed herself to know the real Eason, until tragedy forces her to know who he really is.
════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════
April 23, 2021
'FROM THE EMBERS' Is an emotional standalone, contemporary romance novel by Aly Martinez. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.'
‘𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈.’
This book surrounds a set of friends, (Jessica is married to Eason, Bree is married to Rob) in an instant it all changes when an inferno tragically kills a husband and wife of the significant others which survived this tragedy, the game of what IF starts causing havoc on Eason's conscience.
Our two survivors, Jessica and Eason are left floundering in their wake of devastation and heartbreak, desolate, and inconsolable as they deal with the aftermath of saying goodbye to their significant other.
This book packs a hard punch from the emotional journey these two go on to the jaw dropping twists this author spins, twists you never see coming..
Since it was Eason's house which burned to the ground Jessica offers up her pool house knowing that her deceased husband would approve.
Through the ups and downs of co parenting and running a business and a household all those butterfly feels came out to play as Eason stole the show. Being in such close quarters these two do grow close as they lean on each other, as they develop more than friendship for the other. It wasn't insta, but they instantly stole my heart.
This was so beautifully written, from the very first chapter I was hooked, the very last page I had tears in my eyes and a heart full to bursting. This author excels when it comes to the angsty, emotional, heart gripping stories and this one is no different.
May 1, 2021
2,5 😳🤔⭐️s
There were three things that I loved in this book.
The cover, the hero - Eason and the three kids!
I had reached 30% of the story and I wasn’t excited with it. So, I was wondering if I should keep reading or not, but then I remembered the high average rating and kept reading, waiting for the captivating pick up.
The author portrayed the heroine - Bree in such a way, that to me she was not likeable at all. However, I was very curious of how the author would bring the heroine around and redeem her before my eyes! (note: until the end of the story I couldn’t be warmed to her, regardless of how nice she turned out to be...😔)
Also, as much as the author tried, I couldn’t find Eason and Bree compatible.
Eason was a fantastic figure, wonderful, goodhearted and so devoted!! I was thrilled his dreams came true and succeeded in the music industry!
The story had two huge twists. (no spoilers 😉)
I didn’t see the first coming and I was really shocked!!! I never expected it!!! Brilliant!!!
After a lot of chapters, the second twist happened. And brilliant was no more!!!
I just couldn’t believe what I was reading!!! Apart from extremely predictable, I found it also shallow and so stereotypical! If I hadn’t read previous books by this author, I would have thought From the Embers was her debut novel and might have excused this twist!
This was undoubtedly Writing Angsty Twists 101!!!!
There was nothing to be impressed with! If this was something to come across or create great angst, it was poorly delivered.
I am sorry to say that I expected more... 😔😔😔
There were three things that I loved in this book.
The cover, the hero - Eason and the three kids!
I had reached 30% of the story and I wasn’t excited with it. So, I was wondering if I should keep reading or not, but then I remembered the high average rating and kept reading, waiting for the captivating pick up.
The author portrayed the heroine - Bree in such a way, that to me she was not likeable at all. However, I was very curious of how the author would bring the heroine around and redeem her before my eyes! (note: until the end of the story I couldn’t be warmed to her, regardless of how nice she turned out to be...😔)
Also, as much as the author tried, I couldn’t find Eason and Bree compatible.
Eason was a fantastic figure, wonderful, goodhearted and so devoted!! I was thrilled his dreams came true and succeeded in the music industry!
The story had two huge twists. (no spoilers 😉)
I didn’t see the first coming and I was really shocked!!! I never expected it!!! Brilliant!!!
After a lot of chapters, the second twist happened. And brilliant was no more!!!
I just couldn’t believe what I was reading!!! Apart from extremely predictable, I found it also shallow and so stereotypical! If I hadn’t read previous books by this author, I would have thought From the Embers was her debut novel and might have excused this twist!
This was undoubtedly Writing Angsty Twists 101!!!!
There was nothing to be impressed with! If this was something to come across or create great angst, it was poorly delivered.
I am sorry to say that I expected more... 😔😔😔
April 25, 2021
Utterly moving story that shall shatter your hearts with a wrecking ball. An emotional volcano explodes in the lives of two couples and the physical debris left behind is the crux of the fabulous story. Aly is adept at making you weep for the broken characters she creates. each is flawed, down on its luck, struggling to cope with insecurities.
“I'm so Mad,”
“Bitter. Terrified. Heartbroken. Lost. Confused.”
Take these two couples - Rob & Bree are best friends and neighbours of Eason & Jessica maxwell. Their kids play together,while adults socialise. Their lives seemingly picture perfect at first glance.
A horrible accident ruins their lives and from its ruination emerges the true personalities of each & every character present.
"I remembered the panic and confusion. The anger and resentment. The absolute frustration that the world kept spinning and it was all I could do to hold on."
Eason instantly became my favorite. A down on his luck, aspiring musician & songwriter, he swallow his pride and ambitions to keep peace with his family. Left with the only thing that matters to him now, he stumbles to his feet and helps Bree who's limping with grief herself.
It's blind leading blind kinda story from then on. They're both devastated, heartbroken, terrified of the future, sad and angry,. Only no one is left to take their anger out at, so it smoulders like Embers in the ash.
"I’d once read in a book that there is no true timeline for grief. It was always one step forward, two weeks wallowing and cussing the universe back. But, with time, the good days had begun to out weigh the bad."
I felt lost and bitter for them. As they take hurting steps towards some kind of normalcy, Aly pours salt on their wounds and the howl that left Bree and Eason tears up the sky.
It's painful, but hope is just on the horizon. It's tragic, but smiles filter through the darkness in Ashley, Madison and Lunas faces. It seems all is lost in ashes, but Phoenix rises and how!.
Poignant to the point of acute pain, a story about love lost with no closure, be prepared to cry in frustration all through.
4.5 stars for Red M&Ms
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“I'm so Mad,”
“Bitter. Terrified. Heartbroken. Lost. Confused.”
Take these two couples - Rob & Bree are best friends and neighbours of Eason & Jessica maxwell. Their kids play together,while adults socialise. Their lives seemingly picture perfect at first glance.
A horrible accident ruins their lives and from its ruination emerges the true personalities of each & every character present.
"I remembered the panic and confusion. The anger and resentment. The absolute frustration that the world kept spinning and it was all I could do to hold on."
Eason instantly became my favorite. A down on his luck, aspiring musician & songwriter, he swallow his pride and ambitions to keep peace with his family. Left with the only thing that matters to him now, he stumbles to his feet and helps Bree who's limping with grief herself.
It's blind leading blind kinda story from then on. They're both devastated, heartbroken, terrified of the future, sad and angry,. Only no one is left to take their anger out at, so it smoulders like Embers in the ash.
"I’d once read in a book that there is no true timeline for grief. It was always one step forward, two weeks wallowing and cussing the universe back. But, with time, the good days had begun to out weigh the bad."
I felt lost and bitter for them. As they take hurting steps towards some kind of normalcy, Aly pours salt on their wounds and the howl that left Bree and Eason tears up the sky.
It's painful, but hope is just on the horizon. It's tragic, but smiles filter through the darkness in Ashley, Madison and Lunas faces. It seems all is lost in ashes, but Phoenix rises and how!.
Poignant to the point of acute pain, a story about love lost with no closure, be prepared to cry in frustration all through.
4.5 stars for Red M&Ms
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
May 2, 2021
first of all, you click that spoiler link think again because I will spoil the shit out of this book so If you think about reading this do NOT read further...
last chance...
okay...
now, I rarely read blurbs especially from authors that I love..like why bother well I might HAVE to change that because then I wouldn't have a book with one of my least favorite tropes as a challenge pick book and that is the only reason why I didn't DNF this book..because I was tempted!!!
dead ex is the trope I really really really dislike...
okay, I think you get it... moving on...
Hero Eason is married to Jessica, and they have a daughter. These two are not in a very happy marriage. On the other side, we have our heroine Bree, she is married to Rob and they have two kids. Eason considers Rob his brother and Bree and Jessica as best friends and neighbors. One day there is a house explosion in which Jessica and Rob die. So naturally, Eason moves in with Bree and her kids. A year pass and they start falling for each other.
Now at the beginning, we are supposed to like Eason because he is presented as this great guy. Especially as Jessica is treating him awfully so we root for him. However, Bree wasn't likable at all. And for me, she stayed that way until the end of the book. I just couldn't transition my feeling as the story progressed..I couldn't care for her. Same with their romance. Sure, I dislike the dead ex trope, duh.. but I am not sold on their love. It is all so very convenient!!!
Speaking of convenient it turns out Bree's marriage wasn't a love match either. Even though at the beginning they are presented as an amazing couple. So Rob and Jessica had an affair. There was even the possibility of her daughter being his. They planned the explosion and wanted to kill Eason and Bree, but the plan didn't work in the end.
So to tie this convenience with Eason and Bree's love match is both of their first marriages suck so lest's move on together.
There is also a twist towards the end where Rob is not actually dead and he kidnaps Easton's daughter. Everything works out and we get a happy end obviously. By that time I was already over it and sadly, this wasn't a book for me.
If you read this for a drama and shock factor - this could be a winner..
but as a romance is just a fail..
my rating is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and lack of emotional connection to the story...
1,5 ⭐
last chance...
okay...
now, I rarely read blurbs especially from authors that I love..like why bother well I might HAVE to change that because then I wouldn't have a book with one of my least favorite tropes as a challenge pick book and that is the only reason why I didn't DNF this book..because I was tempted!!!
dead ex is the trope I really really really dislike...
okay, I think you get it... moving on...
Hero Eason is married to Jessica, and they have a daughter. These two are not in a very happy marriage. On the other side, we have our heroine Bree, she is married to Rob and they have two kids. Eason considers Rob his brother and Bree and Jessica as best friends and neighbors. One day there is a house explosion in which Jessica and Rob die. So naturally, Eason moves in with Bree and her kids. A year pass and they start falling for each other.
Now at the beginning, we are supposed to like Eason because he is presented as this great guy. Especially as Jessica is treating him awfully so we root for him. However, Bree wasn't likable at all. And for me, she stayed that way until the end of the book. I just couldn't transition my feeling as the story progressed..I couldn't care for her. Same with their romance. Sure, I dislike the dead ex trope, duh.. but I am not sold on their love. It is all so very convenient!!!
Speaking of convenient it turns out Bree's marriage wasn't a love match either. Even though at the beginning they are presented as an amazing couple. So Rob and Jessica had an affair. There was even the possibility of her daughter being his. They planned the explosion and wanted to kill Eason and Bree, but the plan didn't work in the end.
So to tie this convenience with Eason and Bree's love match is both of their first marriages suck so lest's move on together.
There is also a twist towards the end where Rob is not actually dead and he kidnaps Easton's daughter. Everything works out and we get a happy end obviously. By that time I was already over it and sadly, this wasn't a book for me.
If you read this for a drama and shock factor - this could be a winner..
but as a romance is just a fail..
my rating is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and lack of emotional connection to the story...
1,5 ⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2022
2.5 stars
this is “Regretting You” but without the mother-daughter drama because the focus is on the adults. Eason-Bree (MCs of this book) are basically Jonah-Morgan (from “Regretting You”), only their story is inifitely more twisty, tragic, and dramatic at the hands of author AM, which i wouldnt have thought possible because those three adjectives were how i’d associate CoHo with too.
just to be clear, i didnt give it a low rating because of the comparison or similarity but because i didnt like how the romance between the MCs came together in this book. although, thats almost the same thing as the to-may-to or to-mah-to debacle seeing as i hated “Regretting You” for pretty much the same reasons (besides the toxic mother/daughter relationship being my main one).
this is “Regretting You” but without the mother-daughter drama because the focus is on the adults. Eason-Bree (MCs of this book) are basically Jonah-Morgan (from “Regretting You”), only their story is inifitely more twisty, tragic, and dramatic at the hands of author AM, which i wouldnt have thought possible because those three adjectives were how i’d associate CoHo with too.
just to be clear, i didnt give it a low rating because of the comparison or similarity but because i didnt like how the romance between the MCs came together in this book. although, thats almost the same thing as the to-may-to or to-mah-to debacle seeing as i hated “Regretting You” for pretty much the same reasons (besides the toxic mother/daughter relationship being my main one).
April 25, 2021
“There you are,” she said breathlessly. It had been a long time, but it had never—ever—felt like that.
“I’m right here,”
Wow, just wow. I’m pretty speechless after reading this one. Aly Martinez is just amazing, one of the best storytellers there is, period. I don’t know how she does it, but she gets me every. single. time! When I think I have it figured out, she throws me for a loop, and she does it so seamlessly, I just never see it coming!
Bree and Eason (not Easton, lol) are both pretty incredible. I loved them from the get go. They’re married to each other’s best friends, although their relationship was never the best. When tragedy strikes and they loose their spouses, they only have each other to go on and so they form a united front for the kids even though they’re totally devastated and grieving. They form the best of friendships and that eventually turns into love. However, since this is an Aly Martinez book, nothing is really what it seems and there are secrets that are uncovered and twists and turns I didn’t see coming, even though I always like to think I have all figured out.
I loved everything and totally grieved with both Eason and Bree, for their loss and the devastating truths that were uncovered. I also loved that their love developed over time and that they didn’t just jumped each other the first chance they got. I loved Eason so much, that man was just all sorts of special. And Bree, she was amazing. Such great characters and character development. And the kids! They were precious!
Overall, this book is Aly Martinez’ signature brand of awesome and I loved every second of it. Definitely my favorite book of 2021 by far! Very few authors get to me like she does, and I just can’t wait to read what she’ll come up with next!
Was it too soon? By most people’s standards, probably. But not for me. I’d found her. The one. There were no nerves or fears. No second-guessing or cold feet. I knew down to the marrow of my bones that Bree had been born to be mine. Our bond might have been forged through tragedy, but our love flourished through patience, genuine respect, and understanding.
“I’m right here,”
Wow, just wow. I’m pretty speechless after reading this one. Aly Martinez is just amazing, one of the best storytellers there is, period. I don’t know how she does it, but she gets me every. single. time! When I think I have it figured out, she throws me for a loop, and she does it so seamlessly, I just never see it coming!
Bree and Eason (not Easton, lol) are both pretty incredible. I loved them from the get go. They’re married to each other’s best friends, although their relationship was never the best. When tragedy strikes and they loose their spouses, they only have each other to go on and so they form a united front for the kids even though they’re totally devastated and grieving. They form the best of friendships and that eventually turns into love. However, since this is an Aly Martinez book, nothing is really what it seems and there are secrets that are uncovered and twists and turns I didn’t see coming, even though I always like to think I have all figured out.
I loved everything and totally grieved with both Eason and Bree, for their loss and the devastating truths that were uncovered. I also loved that their love developed over time and that they didn’t just jumped each other the first chance they got. I loved Eason so much, that man was just all sorts of special. And Bree, she was amazing. Such great characters and character development. And the kids! They were precious!
Overall, this book is Aly Martinez’ signature brand of awesome and I loved every second of it. Definitely my favorite book of 2021 by far! Very few authors get to me like she does, and I just can’t wait to read what she’ll come up with next!
Was it too soon? By most people’s standards, probably. But not for me. I’d found her. The one. There were no nerves or fears. No second-guessing or cold feet. I knew down to the marrow of my bones that Bree had been born to be mine. Our bond might have been forged through tragedy, but our love flourished through patience, genuine respect, and understanding.
April 28, 2021
There are some stories that take you to a place where you never thought that you would go. Some stories make you their prisoner and hold you in such a tight grip that as much as you're begging to be set free, you really don't want to let go. The characters leave their mark on you in such a way that by simply turning the pages, you develop this ache in your chest. Why is that? Why do the good stories hurt so bad sometimes? We've woven that ache all around us and immersed into the unknown of a story teller that's going to make or break us for a few hours.
There are some stories that will take you to a place where you never thought that you would go…… this was THAT story.
"Our bond might have been forged through tragedy, but our love flourished through patience, genuine respect, and understanding".
Eason Maxwell and Bree Winters are now a part of this painful tragic club. One fateful night not only destroyed two couples, but it cemented a grief that would take a long time to heal from. With nothing but determination and a new found bond between them, Eason and Bree decide to pick up the pieces of their lives and try to move forward. But their journey toward a sense of normalcy was not easy at times and with trial and error, they finally got to a place of calm and steadiness. Or so they thought.
I have been trying to figure out how this author manages to drain the emotions out of her readers sometimes and I still don't know how she does it!! This book will take you on a heart wrenching, painful, tearful, and joyous emotional journey that will have you rooting for these characters and their much deserved happily ever after.
Read
April 4, 2023✖
ᴅɴғ ᴀᴛ ~ ғɪғᴛʏ⋆ғɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴄᴇɴᴛ
✖
ミ✘ ɪɴɪᴛɪᴀʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs ✔彡
Well I guess it's official, Aly Martinez is now firmly in my mental "hit-or-miss" author file folder. It's funny because I literally just read Reclaim and freaking loved it. Seriously, that book dead-ass caused me create a shrine to all men named Cam.
Long story short, I went into From the Embers with sky-high expectations. Not only was the cover gorgeous, seriously look at that cover, but the tropes at play sounded *chef's kiss* amazing. I am such a sucker for grieving angsty widows finding love with each other. I was really in the mood for that you know? Unfortunately, the signature ALY MARTINEZ twist happened and. . . yeah, i wasn't a fan. IMO, the twist really took the wind out of FROM THE EMBERS sails, and it essentially sapped away any of the tension//angst that was at play. *sighs*
ミ✘ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏᴏᴅ + ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴅ ✔彡
ミ✘ ɪɴ ᴄᴏɴᴄʟᴜsɪᴏɴ ✔彡
That twist killed any enjoyment I was getting out of FROM THE EMBERS. I think it was a huge case of it's not you, it's me. I went in with a certain expectation, and then the "big reveal" just sapped all the angst//tension//interest from the story. Personally, I still recommend FROM THE EMBERS. I think if you guys are fine with the twist or just don't care, then you'll like the book. Alas, I ended up having to put this book down. Maybe I'll finish it someday. . .
I saved the wrong woman. I left the mother of my child in a burning building. My final broken promise to the woman I’d vowed forever to was, ❝I’ll be right back.❞
sᴏɴɢ ʀᴇᴄ ♫ - Burning Down the House (TALKING HEADS)✨(◕▿◕✿)
ミ✘ ɪɴɪᴛɪᴀʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs ✔彡
Well I guess it's official, Aly Martinez is now firmly in my mental "hit-or-miss" author file folder. It's funny because I literally just read Reclaim and freaking loved it. Seriously, that book dead-ass caused me create a shrine to all men named Cam.
this be me anytime i even think about Cam&Cam
Long story short, I went into From the Embers with sky-high expectations. Not only was the cover gorgeous, seriously look at that cover, but the tropes at play sounded *chef's kiss* amazing. I am such a sucker for grieving angsty widows finding love with each other. I was really in the mood for that you know? Unfortunately, the signature ALY MARTINEZ twist happened and. . . yeah, i wasn't a fan. IMO, the twist really took the wind out of FROM THE EMBERS sails, and it essentially sapped away any of the tension//angst that was at play. *sighs*
ミ✘ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏᴏᴅ + ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴅ ✔彡
-ˏˋ ✔ [𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 ⋆ 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 ⋆ 𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓼𝓽] ✔ ˊˎ-
not gonna lie, the main reason i picked up FROM THE EMBERS was because of that angsty as hell synopsis. i mean COME ON how great does this sound -In the aftermath of tragedy, it’s strange the things you remember.
The deafening boom as the house exploded.
The paralyzing fear as I searched for my wife.
The blinding smoke burning my eyes as I carried her out.
But carved into my soul for the rest of my days would be the earth-shattering realization that the woman in my arms wasn’t my wife.
hint, it sounds FUCKING AMAZING. the angst people, all the angst. and honestly that scene was heart wrenching. not only was the mini-twist really well done, but the whole "dress thing" really put a whole new meaning on BFFs swapping clothes. there was high potential for drama, angst, grief, and self-loathing. see, not only did Eason save Bree instead of his wife, but Jennifer (or Jessica???) was Bree's best friend. likewise, Robert was Eason's childhood best friend. can't you guys just smell the heartbreak from here?? i loved the set-up of having Eason and Bree basically become a pseudo couple and deciding to raise their kids together. watching Eason and Bree prop each other up during their grief was one of the best aspects of the book. i just wish it had stayed that way. . .
-ˏˋ ✔ [𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝔂 ⋆ 𝓼𝓱𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓰𝓪𝓷𝓼] ✔ ˊˎ-
hands down the best part of FROM THE EMBERS was all the family stuff happening. now as a reader my opinions on family shenanigans has greatly ebbed and flowed. when i first started reading romance i was what. . . oh dear lord - 10?!?! yeah, so, i was pretty young, thus, i had no real interest in reading about adults taking care of kids. as i've gotten older that sentiment has remained somewhat consistent. honestly, it really depends on the kid(s). i cannot stand when authors write these "wise-beyond-their-years-30something-year-old-5-year olds." i just can't. however, when it hits just right the family stuff will stab me right in the feels. here, . . . yeah, i got a bit choked up and "awwwhhhhed" a bunch.
i mean this whole scene -❝Uncle Eason wears crop tops when he misses Aunt Jessica.❞
Her eyebrows shot up her forehead as she turned a suspicious gaze on me. I quickly waved him off.
❝No. We were kidding. It was a whole story. You had to be there.❞
was both hilarious and tear jerking. ALY MARTINEZ has been consistently great at writing kids into her stories. so, 10/10 for the kids + family stuff.
-ˏˋ ✘ [𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓮 ＆ 𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷] ✘ ˊˎ-
hmmmmm. . . sooo. . . i've gotta ask -can you really love a romance when you dislike // are meh about the main characters?
i mean, you can, but for the sake of your mental health you shouldn't. personally, i started out kinda liking Bree & Eason. they seemed like intriguing characters, their personal history was interesting, and they seemed to have a real opposites attack (lol i meant attract) vibe going on.we have Bree - the super organized well-put together lady boss ✨
which. . . i mean, sure.and Eason - the "slacker" musician who wants nothing more than to share his music with the world. ✨
that's pure sexy right there
on paper that sounds like an interesting combination! in practice. . . meh. idk, if it's me or what, but dear lord i STRUGGLED to feel the chemistry between Eason and Bree. S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E-D. this is probably one of the few times where i thought the MCs should've stayed friends. simply put, i liked their dynamic wayyyy better as friends -❝I’m sorry,❞ I whispered. ❝I shouldn’t have called you today, and then—❞
He tilted his head my way, his warm, brown eyes snapping to mine.
❝Yes, you should have. I’m exactly who you should have called, and I’m glad you did.❞
so when Bree started having sex dreams about Eason i was out here like -
i couldn't help but ask, since when! and also, W H Y? basically both characters were boring as individuals and they were even more boring together.
-ˏˋ ✘ [𝓽𝓱𝓮 ⋆ 𝓽𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓽] ✘ ˊˎ-
now if you guys have never read an ALY MARTINEZ romance before well, first, wth are you doing with your life, but also, you need to know that they ALWAYS have a big "plot twist." always. sometimes they work. see RECLAIM. sometimes they don't. this book is the latter.✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦LOOK AWAY, SPOILERS, HIDE YOUR INNOCENT EYES!✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
✦ sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀ ᴀʟᴇʀᴛ ✦
okay so, the big plot twist here is this, Jessica (or is it Jennifer) Eason's dead wife, and Robert, Bree's dead husband, were doing the nasty on the sly for YEARS. i'm talking y-e-a-r-s. they were having sex so long that Luna - Eason's daughter - might not even be his. first off, OUCH, and second, are you fucking kidding me. here was my visceral reaction when the twist was revealed, truly, this was my face -
to say i was #NotImpressed is a GD understatement. basically, what this plot did was shit all over any angst, grief, or drama that had been taking place. to me it seemed like ALY MARTINEZ just didn't want to go there. she didn't want to add the angst of having two people fall in love with each other with such interconnected pasts. and honestly, it was a huge miss. because seriously, not even five pages later, Eason's thinking shit like this -But at the end of the day, I’d never allowed myself to go there with Bree because she hadn’t belonged to me. She’d been Rob’s, and him being gone hadn’t changed that. But you know what did change it? Rob’s being a piece-of-shit bastard who’d crossed every line that had ever been drawn in the sand. All bets were off. Guy code or whatever the fuck you wanted to call it. It was done now.
like, ugggghhh, great, now the angst is gone! she should've just made everyone get a divorce or something. that would've been juicier. so, yeah, the twist just didn't work for me. i tried for a couple of more pages but my heart wasn't in it.
ミ✘ ɪɴ ᴄᴏɴᴄʟᴜsɪᴏɴ ✔彡
That twist killed any enjoyment I was getting out of FROM THE EMBERS. I think it was a huge case of it's not you, it's me. I went in with a certain expectation, and then the "big reveal" just sapped all the angst//tension//interest from the story. Personally, I still recommend FROM THE EMBERS. I think if you guys are fine with the twist or just don't care, then you'll like the book. Alas, I ended up having to put this book down. Maybe I'll finish it someday. . .
June 19, 2023
I’M FREEEEEE !!!!!
I genuinely had to FORCE myself to keep continuing this book. I lost almost all interest 50% into it, and pretty much skimmed the rest.
WARNING:
This is NOT a spoiler free review ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
Read at your own risk!!
The plot: The story introduces four characters—two couples: Jessica and Eason, and Rob and Bree.
Jessica and Eason are plagued with financial difficulties that affect their ability to co-parent their daughter, their intimacy and their overall relationship. Despite being married, they honestly don't even like each other. Like at all. Jessica is SUPER belittling, withholds sex, and is not supportive of Eason’s career choice of being a songwriter/musician. While she does ALL the complaining, she refuses to get a job and or help with the finances that come with raising their daughter. Miss girls expectations were at a 100. While simultaneously doing ZERO to help.
On the other hand, Rob and Bree are financially stable, own their own business, have two children, get along well, and have a pretty healthy romantic life.
These four characters are close friends. Rob and Eason are best friends, and Jessica and Bree are also best friends.
One night, while they're all having a game night at Jessica and Eason's house, a gas leak causes an explosion and fire. Eason, who is barely conscious, tries to save his wife but mistakenly rescues Bree, his best friend's wife. Unfortunately, Rob and Jessica don't survive the fire. Now, Bree and Eason must cope with the sudden loss of their spouses while still taking care of their young children.
What I liked:
1. I really liked the way the book depicted grief. The first 40% of the book nails this pretty well. As a reader you can’t help but feel for them both, ESPECIALLY Eason who not only looses his partner, he looses his home, all while suddenly being thrown into being the sole care taker of an infant.
2. Bree and Eason’s relationship. INITIALLY, I really did love the way this developed. Although they’d been in each others lives for a long time. Their feelings of indifference towards one another developed into a beautiful friendship and partnership and eventually as a romantic relationship. They were able to connect and really find their way through the grief together.
It’s important to mention that as Bree and Eason finally find themselves starting to heal from the fire and Rob and Jessica’s deaths. *SPOILER INCOMING* They find proof that Rob and Jessica were months deep into a very illicit, sexual affair. Eason lashes out, both are thwarted into feelings of anger following months of grief and sadness. Both Jessica and Rob were NOT who thought they were. ( Well I mean, I expected this from Jessica but I digress ) and Eason now faces the possibility that Luna is not his biological child, but rather Jessica and Rob’s love child.
What I didn’t like:
1. The pacing of this book. OK so grief and affair aside. 55% - 65% into the book, Bree and Eason were mostly over BOTH the fire and the affair. They were together, they were happy. And the book became endless chapters of dates, dealing with their children, their careers, that their was NO plot left other than the current ongoings of their lives. Sure their was some mention of Rob and Jessica’s betrayal. But after *SPOILER INCOMING* Eason gets a DNA test that proves Luna is his daughter, we resolved pretty much everything the book marketed itself on. All of the conflict transpired in the first 50% of the book & when Eason and Bree got together i lost ALL interest, because now their was literally nothing driving me to complete the book. Don’t get me wrong I liked Bree and Eason together, they were cute, but I wasn’t in love with them. Not enough to keep reading chapters upon chapters of how much they made each other swoon. I just did NOT care that much, I am so sorry.
2. Bree. I didn’t really like her? Other than her personality basically being that of an almond mom, their was almost nothing that really connected me to Bree. I enjoyed Eason’s chapters more b/c he was on the harsher side of the betrayal, with Luna potentially not being his daughter and I did find his love for music and his ambition for his career refreshing in comparison to Bree’s lackluster chapters, Eason did actually have a personality, couldn’t really say that much for Bree.
3. The kids. I am so sorry. But I don’t enjoy reading baby talk and I don’t like when children are in more than HALF the plot of a book. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE children. I love babies. ( I literally work at a daycare ) but these children had way too much screen time for my liking. And when they were not “on-screen” either Bree or Eason was constantly worried about them. Which I understand is realistic of a parent, but as a reader, not really a driving force to make you really want to continue a book if I’m being honest with you.
4. The third act conflict. *MAJOR SPOILER INCOMING* I think the author got wind that the book was becoming really boring, so she decided to include a third act conflict. What was this conflict? Rob, yes Rob, Bree’s “DEAD” ex-husband came back from the dead and kidnapped Luna, Eason’s daughter. WHERE did this come from? I have no idea. This kind of ties into what I was mentioning earlier about pacing, that the books pacing was just so off, with so much conflict being thrown into the first 50% and then it became me skipping endless chapters, that I I felt like the author threw this in there bc she just had NOTHING else to write about. I think this WOULD have worked better if their was an inclination of Rob being alive so that this wasn’t so left field. Maybe some anonymous threats, mysterious letters, a knock on the door with no one there, she could have worked this in better, she just didn’t. It was SO weird. The explanation also made little to no sense. *SPOILER INCOMING* Apparently him and Jessica had PLANNED the fire, and it didn’t work. No idea how he got out of the fire, who they buried, I was just so annoyed at this point that the skimming wasn’t really skimming it was ✨✨skipping ✨✨.
Overall:
Okay so even the parts of this book that were supposed to be the interesting parts ( the first half ) just didn’t work for me. I just didn’t feel drawn to this story nor the characters. It was just such a forgettable book. I really only read it b/c I saw a TikTok of people raving about it and the way it was marketed out to be was a lot better than the execution. Like WOW he saved his enemy instead of his wife? YEAH I THOUGHT IT WAS ENEMIES TO LOVERS CAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS. IT WAS NOT. They were NEVER enemies, they just were indifferent towards one another. Either barely interacting or giving awkward hugs. The potential was there though, however like I said execution fell short. If you liked this, I am sincerely glad you enjoyed it! But unfortunately it just wasn’t for me, and that’s okay! :)
BTW - The way I was forcing myself to continue to this book, while seeing everyone loving their books and raving about Fourth Wing was so painful 😫😫 I WAS SO JEALOUS. I kind of felt like I was in a book prison. I hate DNFING books, so I really honestly did try to power through this but I just couldn’t really do it in the end. It genuinely put me in a slump. Anyways, off to read Fourth Wing now 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️ thanks for reading 🫶🏽
I genuinely had to FORCE myself to keep continuing this book. I lost almost all interest 50% into it, and pretty much skimmed the rest.
WARNING:
This is NOT a spoiler free review ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
Read at your own risk!!
The plot: The story introduces four characters—two couples: Jessica and Eason, and Rob and Bree.
Jessica and Eason are plagued with financial difficulties that affect their ability to co-parent their daughter, their intimacy and their overall relationship. Despite being married, they honestly don't even like each other. Like at all. Jessica is SUPER belittling, withholds sex, and is not supportive of Eason’s career choice of being a songwriter/musician. While she does ALL the complaining, she refuses to get a job and or help with the finances that come with raising their daughter. Miss girls expectations were at a 100. While simultaneously doing ZERO to help.
On the other hand, Rob and Bree are financially stable, own their own business, have two children, get along well, and have a pretty healthy romantic life.
These four characters are close friends. Rob and Eason are best friends, and Jessica and Bree are also best friends.
One night, while they're all having a game night at Jessica and Eason's house, a gas leak causes an explosion and fire. Eason, who is barely conscious, tries to save his wife but mistakenly rescues Bree, his best friend's wife. Unfortunately, Rob and Jessica don't survive the fire. Now, Bree and Eason must cope with the sudden loss of their spouses while still taking care of their young children.
What I liked:
1. I really liked the way the book depicted grief. The first 40% of the book nails this pretty well. As a reader you can’t help but feel for them both, ESPECIALLY Eason who not only looses his partner, he looses his home, all while suddenly being thrown into being the sole care taker of an infant.
2. Bree and Eason’s relationship. INITIALLY, I really did love the way this developed. Although they’d been in each others lives for a long time. Their feelings of indifference towards one another developed into a beautiful friendship and partnership and eventually as a romantic relationship. They were able to connect and really find their way through the grief together.
It’s important to mention that as Bree and Eason finally find themselves starting to heal from the fire and Rob and Jessica’s deaths. *SPOILER INCOMING* They find proof that Rob and Jessica were months deep into a very illicit, sexual affair. Eason lashes out, both are thwarted into feelings of anger following months of grief and sadness. Both Jessica and Rob were NOT who thought they were. ( Well I mean, I expected this from Jessica but I digress ) and Eason now faces the possibility that Luna is not his biological child, but rather Jessica and Rob’s love child.
What I didn’t like:
1. The pacing of this book. OK so grief and affair aside. 55% - 65% into the book, Bree and Eason were mostly over BOTH the fire and the affair. They were together, they were happy. And the book became endless chapters of dates, dealing with their children, their careers, that their was NO plot left other than the current ongoings of their lives. Sure their was some mention of Rob and Jessica’s betrayal. But after *SPOILER INCOMING* Eason gets a DNA test that proves Luna is his daughter, we resolved pretty much everything the book marketed itself on. All of the conflict transpired in the first 50% of the book & when Eason and Bree got together i lost ALL interest, because now their was literally nothing driving me to complete the book. Don’t get me wrong I liked Bree and Eason together, they were cute, but I wasn’t in love with them. Not enough to keep reading chapters upon chapters of how much they made each other swoon. I just did NOT care that much, I am so sorry.
2. Bree. I didn’t really like her? Other than her personality basically being that of an almond mom, their was almost nothing that really connected me to Bree. I enjoyed Eason’s chapters more b/c he was on the harsher side of the betrayal, with Luna potentially not being his daughter and I did find his love for music and his ambition for his career refreshing in comparison to Bree’s lackluster chapters, Eason did actually have a personality, couldn’t really say that much for Bree.
3. The kids. I am so sorry. But I don’t enjoy reading baby talk and I don’t like when children are in more than HALF the plot of a book. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE children. I love babies. ( I literally work at a daycare ) but these children had way too much screen time for my liking. And when they were not “on-screen” either Bree or Eason was constantly worried about them. Which I understand is realistic of a parent, but as a reader, not really a driving force to make you really want to continue a book if I’m being honest with you.
4. The third act conflict. *MAJOR SPOILER INCOMING* I think the author got wind that the book was becoming really boring, so she decided to include a third act conflict. What was this conflict? Rob, yes Rob, Bree’s “DEAD” ex-husband came back from the dead and kidnapped Luna, Eason’s daughter. WHERE did this come from? I have no idea. This kind of ties into what I was mentioning earlier about pacing, that the books pacing was just so off, with so much conflict being thrown into the first 50% and then it became me skipping endless chapters, that I I felt like the author threw this in there bc she just had NOTHING else to write about. I think this WOULD have worked better if their was an inclination of Rob being alive so that this wasn’t so left field. Maybe some anonymous threats, mysterious letters, a knock on the door with no one there, she could have worked this in better, she just didn’t. It was SO weird. The explanation also made little to no sense. *SPOILER INCOMING* Apparently him and Jessica had PLANNED the fire, and it didn’t work. No idea how he got out of the fire, who they buried, I was just so annoyed at this point that the skimming wasn’t really skimming it was ✨✨skipping ✨✨.
Overall:
Okay so even the parts of this book that were supposed to be the interesting parts ( the first half ) just didn’t work for me. I just didn’t feel drawn to this story nor the characters. It was just such a forgettable book. I really only read it b/c I saw a TikTok of people raving about it and the way it was marketed out to be was a lot better than the execution. Like WOW he saved his enemy instead of his wife? YEAH I THOUGHT IT WAS ENEMIES TO LOVERS CAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS. IT WAS NOT. They were NEVER enemies, they just were indifferent towards one another. Either barely interacting or giving awkward hugs. The potential was there though, however like I said execution fell short. If you liked this, I am sincerely glad you enjoyed it! But unfortunately it just wasn’t for me, and that’s okay! :)
BTW - The way I was forcing myself to continue to this book, while seeing everyone loving their books and raving about Fourth Wing was so painful 😫😫 I WAS SO JEALOUS. I kind of felt like I was in a book prison. I hate DNFING books, so I really honestly did try to power through this but I just couldn’t really do it in the end. It genuinely put me in a slump. Anyways, off to read Fourth Wing now 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️ thanks for reading 🫶🏽
May 2, 2021
liked this a lot more than i though i would, the plot looks like a ID case but i enjoyed it.
Safety:
- they didnt have any romantic or secret lust for each other before the fire
- they have both been celibate since the fire
- she had a good marriage
- he was struggling with his wife and has been some time since they were intimate and things were not good for quite some time, they were rarely intimate. Heroine husband faked It better so we can assume the same wasnt happening at her house and she was fine with her husband even though has been some time for them too but for different reasons, like their kids demanding attention.
The hero was pretty awesome and the heroine is pretty great too. A strong woman who is a great mother and can be a badass ceo too. He is also an amazing dad.
Their spouses were disgusting pieces of shit, but her ex husband was an better actor, they had an good marriage (he was cheating but he faked it well) while the hero was struggling and divorce was almost being discussed, they were no longer having sex and he was sleeping on the couch.
Their spouses were awful, they fucked at the heroine bed and sometimes when the hero was at the next room.
Heroine had two kids and the hero had one. 5 years old and a baby while he also had a baby a few months younger.
No sex with their spouses on page, nothing happened after the book started with them. The book started one day and the same night the fire happened.
I really like the heroine's older son, i laughed so much whenever he asked something. I loved the hero bond with him.
The book would probably be a five star ir the heroine also adopt the hero daughtef at the end and If there were the typical scene with the kids calling them mommy and daddy. I also wanted a little more bonding between the hero and heroine's younger baby. A few cute scenes showing them together without the rest of the kids would have been awesome.
I liked It a lot and i didnt feel they were second bests and the author was pretty fair during the explosion showing his guilt because he saved the heroine not his wife and the heroine anger because he survived and her husband was dead.
There was no bullshit Double standarts showing an miserable heroine with an abused husband and an happy hero. He was unhappy but trying to be the best father and husband and she was pretty happy even though their spouses were awful people, until they died there were no clues about their sordid shit. We can say he was the unhappy one.
Safety:
- they didnt have any romantic or secret lust for each other before the fire
- they have both been celibate since the fire
- she had a good marriage
- he was struggling with his wife and has been some time since they were intimate and things were not good for quite some time, they were rarely intimate. Heroine husband faked It better so we can assume the same wasnt happening at her house and she was fine with her husband even though has been some time for them too but for different reasons, like their kids demanding attention.
The hero was pretty awesome and the heroine is pretty great too. A strong woman who is a great mother and can be a badass ceo too. He is also an amazing dad.
Their spouses were disgusting pieces of shit, but her ex husband was an better actor, they had an good marriage (he was cheating but he faked it well) while the hero was struggling and divorce was almost being discussed, they were no longer having sex and he was sleeping on the couch.
Their spouses were awful, they fucked at the heroine bed and sometimes when the hero was at the next room.
Heroine had two kids and the hero had one. 5 years old and a baby while he also had a baby a few months younger.
No sex with their spouses on page, nothing happened after the book started with them. The book started one day and the same night the fire happened.
I really like the heroine's older son, i laughed so much whenever he asked something. I loved the hero bond with him.
The book would probably be a five star ir the heroine also adopt the hero daughtef at the end and If there were the typical scene with the kids calling them mommy and daddy. I also wanted a little more bonding between the hero and heroine's younger baby. A few cute scenes showing them together without the rest of the kids would have been awesome.
I liked It a lot and i didnt feel they were second bests and the author was pretty fair during the explosion showing his guilt because he saved the heroine not his wife and the heroine anger because he survived and her husband was dead.
There was no bullshit Double standarts showing an miserable heroine with an abused husband and an happy hero. He was unhappy but trying to be the best father and husband and she was pretty happy even though their spouses were awful people, until they died there were no clues about their sordid shit. We can say he was the unhappy one.
April 30, 2021
Once again, Aly delivers an unputdownable masterpiece. Eason quickly climbed to the top of my hero list. Filled with only the kind of angst and twists that Aly ALWAYS pens so flawlessly, this book will own your heart.
December 23, 2023
“I’m terrified that, if we keep screaming into the past,…
…the future is going to become nothing but an echo.”
Well. This book is ANGSTYYYYY. Once you think things are great and nothing else could possibly go wrong, BOOM, more things happen. I loved this book. If you can’t get down with people finding love after losing a loved one, or people finding love with their best friends widow/er then you may want to skip this one. This story also has an edge of mystery to it, and also cute kids, so if you like all that stuff then you may like this book. I did. Though if I’m being honest I couldn’t have gone with a bit more tension between the lead characters.
…the future is going to become nothing but an echo.”
Well. This book is ANGSTYYYYY. Once you think things are great and nothing else could possibly go wrong, BOOM, more things happen. I loved this book. If you can’t get down with people finding love after losing a loved one, or people finding love with their best friends widow/er then you may want to skip this one. This story also has an edge of mystery to it, and also cute kids, so if you like all that stuff then you may like this book. I did. Though if I’m being honest I couldn’t have gone with a bit more tension between the lead characters.
April 27, 2021
Chapter 10 ruined the book for me cause I guessed the twist which honestly it’s the norm in these types of stories. I think I’ve only read one book where the guy was the best and was remembered that way. This one is not it. Both are the worse.
April 28, 2021
Eason and Bree, “friends” who barely tolerated each other, both lost their partners on a house fire, they were the only survivors. Through their grief they sticked together to take care of their children, but life wasn’t finished testing their happiness.
This author never disappoints on delivering a rollercoaster of emotions and angst through many plot twists, although some were predictable, they still left me in shock.
Thankfully, Eason and Bree leaned on each other and came out stronger than ever.
The little kids had an amazing bond and their interaction were so cuuute.
I have to add that I hated that bitch Jessica right from the beginning, so self-centered and selfish. I was relieved that I didn’t have to endure her stupidity for more than 4 chapters.
And maybe it was just me but this book has almost the same feel as Regretting You by Colleen Hoover 🤔
This author never disappoints on delivering a rollercoaster of emotions and angst through many plot twists, although some were predictable, they still left me in shock.
Thankfully, Eason and Bree leaned on each other and came out stronger than ever.
The little kids had an amazing bond and their interaction were so cuuute.
I have to add that I hated that bitch Jessica right from the beginning, so self-centered and selfish. I was relieved that I didn’t have to endure her stupidity for more than 4 chapters.
And maybe it was just me but this book has almost the same feel as Regretting You by Colleen Hoover 🤔
February 25, 2023
2/25/23: 5 stars. It’s a rare book that I liked so much that I can enjoy it more the second time & only a few months after the first. This book just works for me. It’s well written, it has great pacing, and the MCs are so perfect together. Don’t expect to be shocked by the revelations, this isn’t a book with some huge shocking plot twist.
11/12/22: 4.5 stars. I used one of my beloved audible credits, so I’m happy to say that this book was extremely enjoyable. It’s possible that going in with lower expectations helped because several of my goodreads friends didn’t have the best opinions of this book. Several reviews mentioned that the plot twists were predictable, and I absolutely agree. There were no big surprises, and sometimes a predictable storyline does bother me, but it didn’t this time.
The hero and heroine of this book were both married to each other’s best friends. Hero was best friends with heroine’s husband and vice versa. Their spouses are killed in a freak accident, and they are left behind to pick up the pieces with the three kids between them. They slowly build a relationship and life together while dealing with the grief and guilt over the deaths of their loved ones. They go from barely standing each other’s company, to friends, to falling in love. I think the best part of this book was their relationship development and the way that they formed a family together after the devastating deaths of their spouses. The plot twists, as I said, are very easy to predict, but I didn’t mind because the relationship development is what made this book special for me.
I’m already looking forward to a future re-listen.
Safe; no virgins, both celibate after the deaths of their spouses, hero has one child and heroine has two, no sex scenes with om/ow, the om/ow drama is just the usual widow(er) stuff, missing the deceased partner, etc. Hero’s marriage was on the rocks and heroine’s marriage was happy, both grieved their partner’s deaths.
I’m trying not to give too much away, so let me know if you need trigger warnings, which might spoil the easily spoilable plot.
11/12/22: 4.5 stars. I used one of my beloved audible credits, so I’m happy to say that this book was extremely enjoyable. It’s possible that going in with lower expectations helped because several of my goodreads friends didn’t have the best opinions of this book. Several reviews mentioned that the plot twists were predictable, and I absolutely agree. There were no big surprises, and sometimes a predictable storyline does bother me, but it didn’t this time.
The hero and heroine of this book were both married to each other’s best friends. Hero was best friends with heroine’s husband and vice versa. Their spouses are killed in a freak accident, and they are left behind to pick up the pieces with the three kids between them. They slowly build a relationship and life together while dealing with the grief and guilt over the deaths of their loved ones. They go from barely standing each other’s company, to friends, to falling in love. I think the best part of this book was their relationship development and the way that they formed a family together after the devastating deaths of their spouses. The plot twists, as I said, are very easy to predict, but I didn’t mind because the relationship development is what made this book special for me.
I’m already looking forward to a future re-listen.
Safe; no virgins, both celibate after the deaths of their spouses, hero has one child and heroine has two, no sex scenes with om/ow, the om/ow drama is just the usual widow(er) stuff, missing the deceased partner, etc. Hero’s marriage was on the rocks and heroine’s marriage was happy, both grieved their partner’s deaths.
I’m trying not to give too much away, so let me know if you need trigger warnings, which might spoil the easily spoilable plot.
March 9, 2022
Bree is the worst type of heroine. Judgmental, snippy, unsympathetic and downright nasty.
August 11, 2023
I was expecting so much more from Miss Martinez. I have not picked up her books in a while. From the Embers have it all of her signature writing.
Except the chemistry and the drama. I feel like the story is moving so fast. The plot is good. The twist and turn is expected.
The chemistry between the characters are off. Both Eason and Bree was rushed to be together without proper emotional connection. I want it so bad to feel the connection but it just not there.
3 stars
Except the chemistry and the drama. I feel like the story is moving so fast. The plot is good. The twist and turn is expected.
The chemistry between the characters are off. Both Eason and Bree was rushed to be together without proper emotional connection. I want it so bad to feel the connection but it just not there.
3 stars
September 10, 2023
Es un SINGLE PARENTS!!!
Es ALY MARTINEZ
Tenía bastante tiempo que no leía a esta autora y no me acordaba lo mucho que me gusta.
El libro tiene drama, es angsty pero es bien bonito.
Me gustó mucho.
La historia va de dos parejas de amigos, o sea están casados con los mejores amigos de cada uno. Un día tienen una cena de celebración en la casa del que viene siendo el protagonista y ocurre una explosión que provoca un incendio, él desesperado quiere salvar a su esposa pero a la que viene rescatando es a la mejor amiga de ella y en el trágico accidente muere su esposa y su mejor amigo.
Los dos devastados por la tragedia deciden vivir juntos para ayudarse mutuamente porque él se ha quedado sin casa con una hija de meses y ella con sus dos hijos chicos y una empresa en crisis que atender.
Ellos no son los más fans uno del otro pero con la convivencia diaria y se hacen amigos, más sabiendo que sólo ellos comprenden su dolor y llega el momento que esa amistad se convierte en un sentimiento más profundo.
No sólo tienen que lidear con la tragedia, sino con más descubrimientos que no sabían de sus parejas.
Si ustedes són telenoveleros y vieron Caer en tentación más o menos saben de que hablo.
Al final fue una historia bien bonita, con unos niños lindos que complementaban la historia y que le daban ese toque tierno y familiar a la relación.
El final fue muy satisfactorio y me encantó.
Es ALY MARTINEZ
Tenía bastante tiempo que no leía a esta autora y no me acordaba lo mucho que me gusta.
El libro tiene drama, es angsty pero es bien bonito.
Me gustó mucho.
La historia va de dos parejas de amigos, o sea están casados con los mejores amigos de cada uno. Un día tienen una cena de celebración en la casa del que viene siendo el protagonista y ocurre una explosión que provoca un incendio, él desesperado quiere salvar a su esposa pero a la que viene rescatando es a la mejor amiga de ella y en el trágico accidente muere su esposa y su mejor amigo.
Los dos devastados por la tragedia deciden vivir juntos para ayudarse mutuamente porque él se ha quedado sin casa con una hija de meses y ella con sus dos hijos chicos y una empresa en crisis que atender.
Ellos no son los más fans uno del otro pero con la convivencia diaria y se hacen amigos, más sabiendo que sólo ellos comprenden su dolor y llega el momento que esa amistad se convierte en un sentimiento más profundo.
No sólo tienen que lidear con la tragedia, sino con más descubrimientos que no sabían de sus parejas.
Si ustedes són telenoveleros y vieron Caer en tentación más o menos saben de que hablo.
Al final fue una historia bien bonita, con unos niños lindos que complementaban la historia y que le daban ese toque tierno y familiar a la relación.
El final fue muy satisfactorio y me encantó.
April 26, 2021
Hands down this has been one of my favourite reads of 2021. Aly always manages to slay me with stories that take a firm hold of my heart & mind, keeping me captive until the last page.
In the first few chapters we get to know two couples, the two guys are best friends and the two girls are too. They live in the same neighbourhood and are both raising families. Rob and Bree have two children, a successful business and a very happy marriage. Eason & Jessica have a baby daughter, Jess is a stay at home mum and Eason is a talented songwriter still working towards getting his big break. This is a source of contention between Eason & Jess.
Eason is a devoted husband and father, always willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family afloat. Jess wants what her best friend Bree has and she makes sure that Eason knows his shortcomings as a provider for their family. Despite all that, Eason continues to keep trying to make things better for them all. Even if it means giving up on some of his dreams.
‘There was nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice - hopes and dreams included - to be the man Jessica and Luna deserved.’
Everything changes one tragic night and believe me, when it happened I was like WT actual F and I went back to re-read it 3 times to be sure I hadn’t misread anything. Eason, Rob, Jessica and Bree’s lives go up in flames and there are only two survivors left - Eason and Bree. The guilt of not being able to save everyone messes with Eason, all the what ifs that run through your mind in the aftermath of a tragedy weigh heavily on him.
However, life has to go on, Eason and Bree are now single parents, grieving the loss of their partners and trying to put one foot in front of the other. When Bree invites Eason and Luna to live with her it was the last thing he expected. They do not have a good track record as being friends but logically it makes sense, after all they understand what each other is going through. Leaning on each other while they grieve will hopefully give their children a stable family home as they adjust to life without their loved ones.
‘In the wake of tragedy, it’s easy to withdraw into yourself. After all, you can’t fathom how anyone else could adequately understand the misery you’re going through.’
Bree is a bit of a spitfire who likes things to be done a certain way, she has rules and expectations. Eason loves to flout the rules and get under her skin, he brings the fun into the house, pushing as many boundaries as he can get away with. And over the next year and oh so slowly they begin to develop feelings for each other. It’s a slow burn that takes seed, initially out of grief and friendship but developing into so much more.
'I’d spent so many years trying to build the perfect life with the perfect husband, the perfect kids, and the perfect company. But mastering the perception of perfect isn’t the same as finding genuine happiness.’
Being with Eason has changed Bree, she sees him in a whole new light, the way he cares for his daughter and her children, how he freely gives love and support to them all. The version she had in her own mind (mainly tainted by Jessica) was nothing like the reality of him. She sees now how he had always put others first and hadn’t ever really had the support he deserved.
‘Our bond might have been forged through tragedy, but our love flourished through patience, genuine respect, and understanding.’
If you think that’s all there is to this story don’t be fooled. It’s just the beginning as the hits seemed to just keep on coming. The kids were amazing in this story, Aly did a fantastic job bringing their unique characters to life and they were such an important part to this story. Grab your tissues and strap in for this emotionally charged story!
In the first few chapters we get to know two couples, the two guys are best friends and the two girls are too. They live in the same neighbourhood and are both raising families. Rob and Bree have two children, a successful business and a very happy marriage. Eason & Jessica have a baby daughter, Jess is a stay at home mum and Eason is a talented songwriter still working towards getting his big break. This is a source of contention between Eason & Jess.
Eason is a devoted husband and father, always willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family afloat. Jess wants what her best friend Bree has and she makes sure that Eason knows his shortcomings as a provider for their family. Despite all that, Eason continues to keep trying to make things better for them all. Even if it means giving up on some of his dreams.
‘There was nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice - hopes and dreams included - to be the man Jessica and Luna deserved.’
Everything changes one tragic night and believe me, when it happened I was like WT actual F and I went back to re-read it 3 times to be sure I hadn’t misread anything. Eason, Rob, Jessica and Bree’s lives go up in flames and there are only two survivors left - Eason and Bree. The guilt of not being able to save everyone messes with Eason, all the what ifs that run through your mind in the aftermath of a tragedy weigh heavily on him.
However, life has to go on, Eason and Bree are now single parents, grieving the loss of their partners and trying to put one foot in front of the other. When Bree invites Eason and Luna to live with her it was the last thing he expected. They do not have a good track record as being friends but logically it makes sense, after all they understand what each other is going through. Leaning on each other while they grieve will hopefully give their children a stable family home as they adjust to life without their loved ones.
‘In the wake of tragedy, it’s easy to withdraw into yourself. After all, you can’t fathom how anyone else could adequately understand the misery you’re going through.’
Bree is a bit of a spitfire who likes things to be done a certain way, she has rules and expectations. Eason loves to flout the rules and get under her skin, he brings the fun into the house, pushing as many boundaries as he can get away with. And over the next year and oh so slowly they begin to develop feelings for each other. It’s a slow burn that takes seed, initially out of grief and friendship but developing into so much more.
'I’d spent so many years trying to build the perfect life with the perfect husband, the perfect kids, and the perfect company. But mastering the perception of perfect isn’t the same as finding genuine happiness.’
Being with Eason has changed Bree, she sees him in a whole new light, the way he cares for his daughter and her children, how he freely gives love and support to them all. The version she had in her own mind (mainly tainted by Jessica) was nothing like the reality of him. She sees now how he had always put others first and hadn’t ever really had the support he deserved.
‘Our bond might have been forged through tragedy, but our love flourished through patience, genuine respect, and understanding.’
If you think that’s all there is to this story don’t be fooled. It’s just the beginning as the hits seemed to just keep on coming. The kids were amazing in this story, Aly did a fantastic job bringing their unique characters to life and they were such an important part to this story. Grab your tissues and strap in for this emotionally charged story!
May 1, 2021
Well what do you know! I downloaded this, started reading it last night and didn't stop reading till the book was finished and I freaking LOVED every single word that I inhaled. I didn't even read the blurb which is something I rarely skip because I'm just that picky.
At first I wasn't too sure on Bree, it took a wee while for me to warm to her but oh man, she surprised me in the best way. I won't even get started on Eason, that man!! 💖
This is one dead spouse book that the author worked to perfection given that both Bree and Eason lost their spouses in the same fire. What I did not expect was just how easily Bree and Eason fell into friendship and support, growing in characters and then falling for each other. I also did NOT expect the story to go the way the author took it and again, I freaking LOVED it. Add to that this could have been a melancholy sob-fest and it was anything but, definitely made for one fabulous read.
I forgot why I loved Aly Martinez' writing so much, and I'm glad for the reminder. I'm off to play catch up with her other books that I've missed out on.
All the stars, and then some for this one.
At first I wasn't too sure on Bree, it took a wee while for me to warm to her but oh man, she surprised me in the best way. I won't even get started on Eason, that man!! 💖
This is one dead spouse book that the author worked to perfection given that both Bree and Eason lost their spouses in the same fire. What I did not expect was just how easily Bree and Eason fell into friendship and support, growing in characters and then falling for each other. I also did NOT expect the story to go the way the author took it and again, I freaking LOVED it. Add to that this could have been a melancholy sob-fest and it was anything but, definitely made for one fabulous read.
I forgot why I loved Aly Martinez' writing so much, and I'm glad for the reminder. I'm off to play catch up with her other books that I've missed out on.
All the stars, and then some for this one.
April 27, 2023
I am going to reiterate the words I spoke when I updated GoodReads while reading it. Why do I still trust Booktok?
December 17, 2022
this book was INSANE… someone turn this into a lifetime movie immediately
October 6, 2022
2.5 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the H, and the kids!
The Not-So-Good: The lack of moments to show how their feelings progressed. I wanted much more, especially with the significant time jump.
The Bad: The soap opera drama towards the end. I hated that there had to be Why not just let them move on from the tragedy and grow close and fall in love without the extra to make it seem less forbidden or more okay?!
Overall: Sadly, this wasn't nearly as good as I had hoped. I really wanted an angsty forbidden love, but I didn't even shed one tear with this one. I'm so sad to be raring this as low as I am -- but this is not at all what I come to expect when I see Aly Martinez's name stamped on a book.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Bree and Eason story. Tragedy strikes when there is a house fire and Bree's husband and Eason's wife, who were also their best friends, die. They have to reluctantly work together to keep their makeshift family healthy and take care of the small children and each other even though they weren't super close before. There are some big secrets revealed, some sweet moments with the kids, some sexy times and some drama...and they get a HEA ending
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Bree and Eason's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, more like not-very-friendly-to-friends-to-more.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Eason. I liked him. He was a great dad and partner for the h.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Bree. I liked her and how she owned her desire to be a stay at home mom, but she was kind of bitchy to begin with.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Not really
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between mcs
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a good place with what I would call a HEA ending
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the H, and the kids!
The Not-So-Good: The lack of moments to show how their feelings progressed. I wanted much more, especially with the significant time jump.
The Bad: The soap opera drama towards the end. I hated that there had to be Why not just let them move on from the tragedy and grow close and fall in love without the extra to make it seem less forbidden or more okay?!
Overall: Sadly, this wasn't nearly as good as I had hoped. I really wanted an angsty forbidden love, but I didn't even shed one tear with this one. I'm so sad to be raring this as low as I am -- but this is not at all what I come to expect when I see Aly Martinez's name stamped on a book.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Bree and Eason story. Tragedy strikes when there is a house fire and Bree's husband and Eason's wife, who were also their best friends, die. They have to reluctantly work together to keep their makeshift family healthy and take care of the small children and each other even though they weren't super close before. There are some big secrets revealed, some sweet moments with the kids, some sexy times and some drama...and they get a HEA ending
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Bree and Eason's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, more like not-very-friendly-to-friends-to-more.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Eason. I liked him. He was a great dad and partner for the h.
h (heroine) rating: 3 stars. Bree. I liked her and how she owned her desire to be a stay at home mom, but she was kind of bitchy to begin with.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Not really
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between mcs
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a good place with what I would call a HEA ending
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
April 29, 2021
Loved this heart-wrenching, emotional whirlwind…
Where do I start listing all the reasons why I LOVED this story so much? I didn’t read the blurb, this author is an insta-everything for me so you know I just put out my grabby hands and said ‘yes please’. The first pages were explosive and heart-hurting, ripping apart two families in one moment of tragedy. What followed was the picking up of the pieces, the grief, the anger and unexpected friendship…
The story, the characters, it all wrapped me up in a storm that included tears, laughter and a warmth that I could feel. What do you do when you are driven to your knees with grief? You figure out what is important and that’s exactly what the main characters did. Through challenges that felt like boulders that might smash their shaky foundation, these families were going to be rocked to their core more than once. The friction between Bree and Eason was strong until they had to put it all aside. Was it easy? No. Was it amazing? Yes. Their hearts were on full display and the honesty between them was sweet and brutal at times as grief took its toll. The kids were the pins that held it all together and their well-being was theirs…
How they survived it all was a beautiful story that had me feeling their grief and their triumphs. And all the love… My heart really was pummeled along with theirs making this one of my top reads of the year. A new favourite from a fave author – I want to give it ALL the stars! ~Diane, 5++ stars
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The blurb lured me in, and my life was never the same after it. This story had my emotions
Right from the beginning I could tell Eason would do anything for his family and friends but since life had thrown some bumps his way that prevented him truly giving everything, he promised Jessica his wife one thing was for sure, that he kept trying!
As Easton, Jessica, Bree & Rob have a grown-up date night Eason & Jessica’s house, a night to unwind turned to a night of terror, pain, and grief. While Bree & Eason try to come to terms that their spouses are not coming back, they try to maneuver life together- helping each other. As they continue to support each other and try not to murder each other (mostly Bree 😊) I got to see what could be if they allowed themselves to love again.
Now pay attention because………. now you don’t think I’ll actually tell you more of what had me holding my breath, do you. All I will say is that this book will capture your full attention and have your emotions all over the place. It will have you sniffling, laughing, crying, ahhing and at times gasping.
One of my favorite reads by Aly Martinez that will stay with me for a long time and definitely a reread. Kara- 5 Stars
Where do I start listing all the reasons why I LOVED this story so much? I didn’t read the blurb, this author is an insta-everything for me so you know I just put out my grabby hands and said ‘yes please’. The first pages were explosive and heart-hurting, ripping apart two families in one moment of tragedy. What followed was the picking up of the pieces, the grief, the anger and unexpected friendship…
The story, the characters, it all wrapped me up in a storm that included tears, laughter and a warmth that I could feel. What do you do when you are driven to your knees with grief? You figure out what is important and that’s exactly what the main characters did. Through challenges that felt like boulders that might smash their shaky foundation, these families were going to be rocked to their core more than once. The friction between Bree and Eason was strong until they had to put it all aside. Was it easy? No. Was it amazing? Yes. Their hearts were on full display and the honesty between them was sweet and brutal at times as grief took its toll. The kids were the pins that held it all together and their well-being was theirs…
How they survived it all was a beautiful story that had me feeling their grief and their triumphs. And all the love… My heart really was pummeled along with theirs making this one of my top reads of the year. A new favourite from a fave author – I want to give it ALL the stars! ~Diane, 5++ stars
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The blurb lured me in, and my life was never the same after it. This story had my emotions
Right from the beginning I could tell Eason would do anything for his family and friends but since life had thrown some bumps his way that prevented him truly giving everything, he promised Jessica his wife one thing was for sure, that he kept trying!
As Easton, Jessica, Bree & Rob have a grown-up date night Eason & Jessica’s house, a night to unwind turned to a night of terror, pain, and grief. While Bree & Eason try to come to terms that their spouses are not coming back, they try to maneuver life together- helping each other. As they continue to support each other and try not to murder each other (mostly Bree 😊) I got to see what could be if they allowed themselves to love again.
Now pay attention because………. now you don’t think I’ll actually tell you more of what had me holding my breath, do you. All I will say is that this book will capture your full attention and have your emotions all over the place. It will have you sniffling, laughing, crying, ahhing and at times gasping.
One of my favorite reads by Aly Martinez that will stay with me for a long time and definitely a reread. Kara- 5 Stars
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May 31, 2023
DNF at 50%
This could have been a beautiful story about 2 people surviving intense trauma and finding happiness again.
But the dead spouses cheating trope ruined it for me. Not to mention the plot twists further down the book. 😕
This could have been a beautiful story about 2 people surviving intense trauma and finding happiness again.
But the dead spouses cheating trope ruined it for me. Not to mention the plot twists further down the book. 😕
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