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Ashes #1
Out of the Ashes
Out of the frying pan and into the fire…
Paige Hill is discovering who she is again after losing everything she loves in a tragic fire. She’s endured a long road to recovery with the help of her best fiend Gillian and is finally beginning her life again: college, a job, and a blossoming love she never even saw coming.
Clay Forbes is the notorious campus playboy. He’s a star athlete, a senior architecture major, and the only son in a family with power and money back in his hometown. When he crashes into Paige, his whole perspective on life shifts, and his world as he knew it becomes nonexistent. He’s wrapped up in her.
They’re both learning how to love, but Clay’s ex-girlfriend Hannah won’t make it easy for them. She puts a target on Paige’s back, and won’t stop until she’s derailed their budding romance once and for all. Who will be left standing after the ashes settle for the second time?
Paige Hill is discovering who she is again after losing everything she loves in a tragic fire. She’s endured a long road to recovery with the help of her best fiend Gillian and is finally beginning her life again: college, a job, and a blossoming love she never even saw coming.
Clay Forbes is the notorious campus playboy. He’s a star athlete, a senior architecture major, and the only son in a family with power and money back in his hometown. When he crashes into Paige, his whole perspective on life shifts, and his world as he knew it becomes nonexistent. He’s wrapped up in her.
They’re both learning how to love, but Clay’s ex-girlfriend Hannah won’t make it easy for them. She puts a target on Paige’s back, and won’t stop until she’s derailed their budding romance once and for all. Who will be left standing after the ashes settle for the second time?
First published December 10, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 13, 2013
arc received in exchange for an honest review
well holy moses cliffhanger , this book pulled me in right from the very start and it in no way went how I expected ,I got so caught up in it I didn't even realise when it came to the end and the scream I let rip because I'm dying to know what happened shocked my husband, I could not put this book down and at times when I had to I thought of nothing but it and could not wait to get back to it, 5 huge well deserved brilliant stars great book Diana, fellow book worms if you love the romance stories such as taking chances, beautiful disaster, losing hope, the Vincent boys/brothers you are not going to want to miss this one I assure you <3
well holy moses cliffhanger , this book pulled me in right from the very start and it in no way went how I expected ,I got so caught up in it I didn't even realise when it came to the end and the scream I let rip because I'm dying to know what happened shocked my husband, I could not put this book down and at times when I had to I thought of nothing but it and could not wait to get back to it, 5 huge well deserved brilliant stars great book Diana, fellow book worms if you love the romance stories such as taking chances, beautiful disaster, losing hope, the Vincent boys/brothers you are not going to want to miss this one I assure you <3
December 12, 2013
**ARC graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
After reading the blurb for Out of the Ashes I was intrigued. I both liked the story and felt frustrated with parts of this story, I'll do my best to explain both aspects. It's more YA than NA, making it a bit young for me. The writing is engaging and fluid. The plot is very good, I enjoyed the premise of this and the heroine's back story. The story starts at telling us about the past year of Paige's life and it's nothing short of a tragedy. At first thought, I thought the story would be one of salvation and Paige reclaiming her life. It was not. Out of the Ashes is about Paige's continued efforts to just survive. The plot is my favorite aspect about the book, I genuinely like this story. The characters though made it hard for me to really love it. They acted younger than what I thought their ages were. And some of the story felt too rushed. The way the author moved the story forward at the beginning was satisfying. The nuanced plots throughout the book move smoothly and at a good pace. However, after Paige meets Clay I felt their relationship moved at warp speed and it didn't work for me. After meeting and reluctance from Paige, their relationship quickly escalated and it felt unnatural. I'm not sure if my opinion is slightly biased because I just came off a story where I totally connected with the heroine who had just as broken of a past but Paige, too many times, drove me crazy. I feel heartless saying that because there were many times where I did feel for Paige. Her story is heart breaking and her emotion is tangible for the reader through the writing. Her struggles are nothing short of valid and understandable. But she was so wishy-washy in her convictions, constantly changing her mind. It was at times like she wasn't even trying, making it harder for me to really connect to the character. I wanted her to stand up for herself; to have this huge moment where she draws from the strength I know she possesses. Understanding that's not what this installment of the story was about, this book completely highlighted her struggles. Thinking on it now, that's a subplot that moved at a much slower pace. Everything around Paige is happening so fast that her actual healing is stalling. Clay's character is half and half for me as well. He was strong and protective with everyone but himself. I loved how he found Paige and had one of the "aha" moments where he knew she was it. His back story is vague and not nearly as explained as Paige's so there's some mystery to him. The villain in Out of the Ashes is despicable and deranged, making her quite an intriguing foe for Paige and Clay. The craziness that ensues in the last 25% of the book is just that, crazy. And there is a major cliffhanger that leaves you needing to know what went down. It's a who done it and why type situation. Out of the Ashes is a solid story with some sticking points for me. However, I was left hanging just enough to want that second book.
After reading the blurb for Out of the Ashes I was intrigued. I both liked the story and felt frustrated with parts of this story, I'll do my best to explain both aspects. It's more YA than NA, making it a bit young for me. The writing is engaging and fluid. The plot is very good, I enjoyed the premise of this and the heroine's back story. The story starts at telling us about the past year of Paige's life and it's nothing short of a tragedy. At first thought, I thought the story would be one of salvation and Paige reclaiming her life. It was not. Out of the Ashes is about Paige's continued efforts to just survive. The plot is my favorite aspect about the book, I genuinely like this story. The characters though made it hard for me to really love it. They acted younger than what I thought their ages were. And some of the story felt too rushed. The way the author moved the story forward at the beginning was satisfying. The nuanced plots throughout the book move smoothly and at a good pace. However, after Paige meets Clay I felt their relationship moved at warp speed and it didn't work for me. After meeting and reluctance from Paige, their relationship quickly escalated and it felt unnatural. I'm not sure if my opinion is slightly biased because I just came off a story where I totally connected with the heroine who had just as broken of a past but Paige, too many times, drove me crazy. I feel heartless saying that because there were many times where I did feel for Paige. Her story is heart breaking and her emotion is tangible for the reader through the writing. Her struggles are nothing short of valid and understandable. But she was so wishy-washy in her convictions, constantly changing her mind. It was at times like she wasn't even trying, making it harder for me to really connect to the character. I wanted her to stand up for herself; to have this huge moment where she draws from the strength I know she possesses. Understanding that's not what this installment of the story was about, this book completely highlighted her struggles. Thinking on it now, that's a subplot that moved at a much slower pace. Everything around Paige is happening so fast that her actual healing is stalling. Clay's character is half and half for me as well. He was strong and protective with everyone but himself. I loved how he found Paige and had one of the "aha" moments where he knew she was it. His back story is vague and not nearly as explained as Paige's so there's some mystery to him. The villain in Out of the Ashes is despicable and deranged, making her quite an intriguing foe for Paige and Clay. The craziness that ensues in the last 25% of the book is just that, crazy. And there is a major cliffhanger that leaves you needing to know what went down. It's a who done it and why type situation. Out of the Ashes is a solid story with some sticking points for me. However, I was left hanging just enough to want that second book.
December 4, 2013
I was given the opportunity to read this book by the author pre publication.
The due date for publication is December 12.
Please check out my full review here
https://www.facebook.com/trinastantil...
In all honesty, make sure you set your calendar for December 12th because this book is epic; it’s a story that is going to touch your heart.
After a unforgettable traumatic event Paige finally gets to piece her life back together again and starts to feel confident about herself and even manages to go out and meet people again, mind you her BFF Gillian will not take no for an answer so what can a girl do.
Then one afternoon Paige meets Clay and time just stands still, this is where the epic story begins.
Clay had never been with just one girl, he was a total player, but all that changed the afternoon he meet Paige.
He became besotted, instantly and finally decided that with this girl he could possibly learn to settle down.
Paige had never had a serious boyfriend before so Clay became everything to her, and it took a lot for her to learn to trust him, but once she did there was no stopping her.
Once again Diana's awesome ability to help us experience the characters feelings, we get to see them grow as individuals we also get to see their relationships blossom and form something so special that nothing could ever break it.
Enter Hannah, she is trouble with a capital T she is one crazy B.I.T.C.H and she does not like Clay having any feelings for anybody else apart from her of course and she makes that very plain to Paige.
No holes barred, she will not give in until that ultimate prize is back in her loving arms again- yer right.
I can't really explain anything more about what happens in OOA otherwise it will spoil the impact of the story for you, but I know you need to pencil December12 into your schedules to read Out of Ashes as this is a story you will not want to miss.
There is a cliff hanger, as there is a part two, but I do feel that it will have a very impacting HEA.
4 awesome stars from me.
The due date for publication is December 12.
Please check out my full review here
https://www.facebook.com/trinastantil...
In all honesty, make sure you set your calendar for December 12th because this book is epic; it’s a story that is going to touch your heart.
After a unforgettable traumatic event Paige finally gets to piece her life back together again and starts to feel confident about herself and even manages to go out and meet people again, mind you her BFF Gillian will not take no for an answer so what can a girl do.
Then one afternoon Paige meets Clay and time just stands still, this is where the epic story begins.
Clay had never been with just one girl, he was a total player, but all that changed the afternoon he meet Paige.
He became besotted, instantly and finally decided that with this girl he could possibly learn to settle down.
Paige had never had a serious boyfriend before so Clay became everything to her, and it took a lot for her to learn to trust him, but once she did there was no stopping her.
Once again Diana's awesome ability to help us experience the characters feelings, we get to see them grow as individuals we also get to see their relationships blossom and form something so special that nothing could ever break it.
Enter Hannah, she is trouble with a capital T she is one crazy B.I.T.C.H and she does not like Clay having any feelings for anybody else apart from her of course and she makes that very plain to Paige.
No holes barred, she will not give in until that ultimate prize is back in her loving arms again- yer right.
I can't really explain anything more about what happens in OOA otherwise it will spoil the impact of the story for you, but I know you need to pencil December12 into your schedules to read Out of Ashes as this is a story you will not want to miss.
There is a cliff hanger, as there is a part two, but I do feel that it will have a very impacting HEA.
4 awesome stars from me.
February 27, 2014
I've been sitting on this review for a while. Like, a really long time, actually. I wrote it a few days after I had finished it, because I didn't want to give a negative review until I had time to think about it and ensure that my initial feelings were warranted. And my initial feelings were not good. And when I read over my review, I felt bad about posting it because this is self-pubbed and I did not want to contribute to its downfall, neither did I want to write a dishonest review for the sake of being nice. But now that I've had time to think it over, like two months later, I've decided to post my review because, well, I wasted my precious time reading it, so I have a right to my honest opinion. And that's what I do, I post honest reviews. So here it is. But first, let me get this clear, this is not my usual genre, I don't ever read NA contemporary, I'm more of a YA dystopian reader so that may affect my judgement. I received an arc from the author so I decided to give it a shot.
Paige has lived through a traumatic experience (a fire) and is a year delayed in starting college as she spent a considerable amount of time in hospital. It begins with Paige and her best friend Gillian, who has helped Paige through the tough time and is now supporting her decision to go to college. We learn about Paige's struggles right away, and we understand that Gillian is basically the perfect best-friend.
When Paige goes to college she meets Clay, a supposed playboy who falls in insta-love with Paige and we have a romance that progresses faster than I can say 'er'. And then we meet Hannah, a former flame of Clay's who is basically only there to serve as a villain and make life hell for our Romeo & Juliet. So basically, it's a love story, with a few obstacles thrown in here and there to make it interesting. I feel like the whole traumatic experience thing didn't really serve a purpose for the story as it was just a love story, with random obstacles. Like the fact that we had a jealous ex-girlfriend, but then there's a sprinkling of reasons for Clay to also feel insecure and jealous just to keep it interesting. I didn't really buy it. It felt too cliché and forced. Clay and Paige's relationship, felt unnatural. Like, how did they just fall in love? Where were the parts where we connect with the characters and see why/how they fall in love with each other? I felt like this was missing.
I mean, I like the characters, but I didn't LOVE them. I didn't even hate Hannah (who is a bat-shit cray cray biatch), but the fact that I didn't feel much about the situation tells me that the author didn't succeed in engaging me with the characters. There was no process of building the connection, or maybe there was a little bit but it felt unnatural, forced. I just didn't really care about the characters. I mean, Paige has been through something major, so traumatic, and I feel horrible for saying this but I didn't really care. It didn't really affect me the way it should have.
Voice. This was a real problem for me. It felt like I could hear the author's voice the entire time, and not each individual character's voice, which made it impossible to really immerse myself in their world and connect with them. The writing is at times purple prosy and overwhelms the plot, which distracts me from the story and I begin to go cross-eyed and my eyeballs feel like they will drop from their sockets because I'm reading through a jungle of words put together for the sake of sounding intelligent but really, it's just freakin' distracting. Ahem, sorry. Seriously though, just write a freakin' story people, stop trying to sound all prosy and writer-y and like you regurgitated the thesaurus onto the page, just write the damn story!
Let me explain this in simple terms. For instance, when the characters speak to each other, it sounds more like they are writing to each other rather than conversing. Also, there are way too many instances where characters each have turns at speaking whole passages to each other, it sounds like a speech. People don't speak to each other in paragraphs. We speak in short sentences in everyday conversation, we speak over each other, we make funny noises, we make expressions. It was like the author wanted to tell us rather than show us. But people communicate 70% more through body language rather than speech. Also, people don't speak in correct English to each other, we don't use the correct grammatical terms etc. Especially not 20 year old college students. I can see how the author tried at times to convey their age through slang terms, but some of those terms felt a little outdated, and other times where they were speaking looked the same as the their thoughts. People don't articulate their thoughts exactly the way they were thinking it into speech. We filter, and we don't all think and speak the same way. But sometimes it was hard to tell, especially with the dual pov, sometimes I forgot whose pov I was reading.
About the previous thing I mentioned, that 20 year olds don't speak they way we'd write, here's a part where Clay is reassuring Paige that she's not dragging him down.
"You could never do that. I don't think you realize what an upper you are. You're like a phoenix, rising out of the ashes. I can't even understand how you stand up every day, much less do everything you're doing. I'm humbled by you, Paige. Perfectly humbled. You're amazing."
Yeah, it's that kind of book.
Also, what 20 year old guy speaks like that? A phoenix rising out of the ashes? Unless he was a lit major and studied lots of Shakespeare type literature, but we know he's not. Even so, WHAT FREAKIN 20 YEAR OLD SPEAKS LIKE THAT? Clay is supposed to be a typical cool-guy player turned loved-up puppy, so, seriously, how did he begin speaking like he's freakin' Rumi or something? See what I mean by it all feels a little unnatural and forced?
Another thing, it seems like they are all perfect with no flaws with perfect relationships and the only reason why there's any tension is due to other people. Basically, if there's no Hannah, or obstacles like her, then Clay and Paige's group would be perfect (Mary Sue alert). They're all so nice to each other (I call it cupcake-nice), and it's annoying because it's unrealistic. Everything is too cliché. Paige has the perfect best-friend, the perfect secondary friends (all who say the perfect things to her, always complimenting her and saying nice things and supporting her), a perfect boyfriend who instantly gives up his life of love-crimes to be her perfect Romeo, and the perfect scenario where a string of potential interested parties (competition for Clay) begin to appear at the perfect times to pepper the story with intrigue. It's all too damn perfect and cup-cakey. I mean, both Clay and Paige have love-sick psycho's who will do anything for them (however twisted) is a stretch. What are they, a love God and love Goddess who once a person has had a taste, MUST have him/her at ANY cost? Or is this an America where college students have gone all Bollywood and deep passionate love even at the cost of the most extreme of acts is the norm? Nope, I don't buy it. Hannah alone as the third party who-won't-give-up was enough. But to throw in a second and maybe a third into the mix? It doesn't sit right with me.
Look, it wasn't all that bad. Maybe it was that it's not my usual genre so I'm used to characters being put in much tougher situations like the world ending etc and having to be tough and there being no room for the fluffy drama that this book entailed, but it is what it is. This is how I saw it. There was a cliffhanger at the end which has me interested to know what happens next -- wait, no, I lie, I'm not really interested in the sequel -- it didn't engage me enough to want to lock the release date of the next book in my calendar. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry because I really wanted my first NA to be a great experience so I can be interested in reading more, but this is my honest review :-/ And come to think of it, it's not that I don't like the genre, I'm still open-minded about the genre, I think it was just this one. The writing, the plot, the bad characterisation, the dialogue. Look, I'm trying to be nice but it's just not working. I'm sorry! BUT, good news is, it's not the WORST I've ever read, it's not THAT bad. Oh God, I feel like Smeagol right now.
I am hoping with my fingers and toes crossed that the sequel improves over this one. Because the backstory is okay, if not executed entirely well. I guess if you're an NA fan, you MAY like it. So if you read it I hope you like it and you tell me I'm wrong wrong, completely wrong and just didn't get it because I'm outside of my area of experience or interest. Read it and tell me it's me and not the book. Because I wish the best for this author, I see what she was trying to do, create an epic love story, one worth believing that insta-love happens, and I love love, so I hope she can translate that better in the next one.
Sorry Diana.
1.5/5
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Nora xoxo
For more reviews like this, go to www.norabay.blogspot.com.
Twitter: @NoraBay85
Paige has lived through a traumatic experience (a fire) and is a year delayed in starting college as she spent a considerable amount of time in hospital. It begins with Paige and her best friend Gillian, who has helped Paige through the tough time and is now supporting her decision to go to college. We learn about Paige's struggles right away, and we understand that Gillian is basically the perfect best-friend.
When Paige goes to college she meets Clay, a supposed playboy who falls in insta-love with Paige and we have a romance that progresses faster than I can say 'er'. And then we meet Hannah, a former flame of Clay's who is basically only there to serve as a villain and make life hell for our Romeo & Juliet. So basically, it's a love story, with a few obstacles thrown in here and there to make it interesting. I feel like the whole traumatic experience thing didn't really serve a purpose for the story as it was just a love story, with random obstacles. Like the fact that we had a jealous ex-girlfriend, but then there's a sprinkling of reasons for Clay to also feel insecure and jealous just to keep it interesting. I didn't really buy it. It felt too cliché and forced. Clay and Paige's relationship, felt unnatural. Like, how did they just fall in love? Where were the parts where we connect with the characters and see why/how they fall in love with each other? I felt like this was missing.
I mean, I like the characters, but I didn't LOVE them. I didn't even hate Hannah (who is a bat-shit cray cray biatch), but the fact that I didn't feel much about the situation tells me that the author didn't succeed in engaging me with the characters. There was no process of building the connection, or maybe there was a little bit but it felt unnatural, forced. I just didn't really care about the characters. I mean, Paige has been through something major, so traumatic, and I feel horrible for saying this but I didn't really care. It didn't really affect me the way it should have.
Voice. This was a real problem for me. It felt like I could hear the author's voice the entire time, and not each individual character's voice, which made it impossible to really immerse myself in their world and connect with them. The writing is at times purple prosy and overwhelms the plot, which distracts me from the story and I begin to go cross-eyed and my eyeballs feel like they will drop from their sockets because I'm reading through a jungle of words put together for the sake of sounding intelligent but really, it's just freakin' distracting. Ahem, sorry. Seriously though, just write a freakin' story people, stop trying to sound all prosy and writer-y and like you regurgitated the thesaurus onto the page, just write the damn story!
Let me explain this in simple terms. For instance, when the characters speak to each other, it sounds more like they are writing to each other rather than conversing. Also, there are way too many instances where characters each have turns at speaking whole passages to each other, it sounds like a speech. People don't speak to each other in paragraphs. We speak in short sentences in everyday conversation, we speak over each other, we make funny noises, we make expressions. It was like the author wanted to tell us rather than show us. But people communicate 70% more through body language rather than speech. Also, people don't speak in correct English to each other, we don't use the correct grammatical terms etc. Especially not 20 year old college students. I can see how the author tried at times to convey their age through slang terms, but some of those terms felt a little outdated, and other times where they were speaking looked the same as the their thoughts. People don't articulate their thoughts exactly the way they were thinking it into speech. We filter, and we don't all think and speak the same way. But sometimes it was hard to tell, especially with the dual pov, sometimes I forgot whose pov I was reading.
About the previous thing I mentioned, that 20 year olds don't speak they way we'd write, here's a part where Clay is reassuring Paige that she's not dragging him down.
"You could never do that. I don't think you realize what an upper you are. You're like a phoenix, rising out of the ashes. I can't even understand how you stand up every day, much less do everything you're doing. I'm humbled by you, Paige. Perfectly humbled. You're amazing."
Yeah, it's that kind of book.
Also, what 20 year old guy speaks like that? A phoenix rising out of the ashes? Unless he was a lit major and studied lots of Shakespeare type literature, but we know he's not. Even so, WHAT FREAKIN 20 YEAR OLD SPEAKS LIKE THAT? Clay is supposed to be a typical cool-guy player turned loved-up puppy, so, seriously, how did he begin speaking like he's freakin' Rumi or something? See what I mean by it all feels a little unnatural and forced?
Another thing, it seems like they are all perfect with no flaws with perfect relationships and the only reason why there's any tension is due to other people. Basically, if there's no Hannah, or obstacles like her, then Clay and Paige's group would be perfect (Mary Sue alert). They're all so nice to each other (I call it cupcake-nice), and it's annoying because it's unrealistic. Everything is too cliché. Paige has the perfect best-friend, the perfect secondary friends (all who say the perfect things to her, always complimenting her and saying nice things and supporting her), a perfect boyfriend who instantly gives up his life of love-crimes to be her perfect Romeo, and the perfect scenario where a string of potential interested parties (competition for Clay) begin to appear at the perfect times to pepper the story with intrigue. It's all too damn perfect and cup-cakey. I mean, both Clay and Paige have love-sick psycho's who will do anything for them (however twisted) is a stretch. What are they, a love God and love Goddess who once a person has had a taste, MUST have him/her at ANY cost? Or is this an America where college students have gone all Bollywood and deep passionate love even at the cost of the most extreme of acts is the norm? Nope, I don't buy it. Hannah alone as the third party who-won't-give-up was enough. But to throw in a second and maybe a third into the mix? It doesn't sit right with me.
Look, it wasn't all that bad. Maybe it was that it's not my usual genre so I'm used to characters being put in much tougher situations like the world ending etc and having to be tough and there being no room for the fluffy drama that this book entailed, but it is what it is. This is how I saw it. There was a cliffhanger at the end which has me interested to know what happens next -- wait, no, I lie, I'm not really interested in the sequel -- it didn't engage me enough to want to lock the release date of the next book in my calendar. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry because I really wanted my first NA to be a great experience so I can be interested in reading more, but this is my honest review :-/ And come to think of it, it's not that I don't like the genre, I'm still open-minded about the genre, I think it was just this one. The writing, the plot, the bad characterisation, the dialogue. Look, I'm trying to be nice but it's just not working. I'm sorry! BUT, good news is, it's not the WORST I've ever read, it's not THAT bad. Oh God, I feel like Smeagol right now.
I am hoping with my fingers and toes crossed that the sequel improves over this one. Because the backstory is okay, if not executed entirely well. I guess if you're an NA fan, you MAY like it. So if you read it I hope you like it and you tell me I'm wrong wrong, completely wrong and just didn't get it because I'm outside of my area of experience or interest. Read it and tell me it's me and not the book. Because I wish the best for this author, I see what she was trying to do, create an epic love story, one worth believing that insta-love happens, and I love love, so I hope she can translate that better in the next one.
Sorry Diana.
1.5/5
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Nora xoxo
For more reviews like this, go to www.norabay.blogspot.com.
Twitter: @NoraBay85
April 22, 2017
Exciting, intense and emotional!! Loved it!!
April 28, 2023
Out of the Ashes tells the story of Paige Hill whose life changed after surviving a fire that took the lives of her family. It’s a story of survival and finding the strength needed to move on from the pain of one’s past.
Out of the Ashes began with the heroine leaving the hospital after spending time in the burn unit recovering from burns received in a house fire. The same fire that killed her entire family. With her best friend by her side she enrolled in college. She’s determined to make for the time lost. Paige struggles with self image, due to the scarring from the burns, and PTSD. Despite all of this she displayed an admirable level of strength.
Now Paige is just looking to survive college, so the entrance of Clay into her life came as a complete surprise. A surprise, which she cautiously welcomed. Soon the tow became inseparable. However, Clay’s past indiscretions threatened to tear them apart. Clay was a love them and leave them type of a guy, but all that changed when he met Paige. None of the girls he was with before could hold a candle to Paige. She was definitely it for him, but one particular female didn’t seem to get that memo.
Clay and Paige were great together. I loved how he saw beyond her scars to her beautiful soul. It took sometime for Clay to break through Paige’s walls. However, when he did their relationship developed rather quickly. Despite the fast pace at which their relationship developed the romance felt authentic.
I enjoyed Out of the Ashes, although there were parts where the pacing felt off. First of all it ended with a cliff-hangar, which I never saw coming and secondly it left me wondering if Clay and Paige’s relationship would survive these turn of events.
Out of the Ashes began with the heroine leaving the hospital after spending time in the burn unit recovering from burns received in a house fire. The same fire that killed her entire family. With her best friend by her side she enrolled in college. She’s determined to make for the time lost. Paige struggles with self image, due to the scarring from the burns, and PTSD. Despite all of this she displayed an admirable level of strength.
Now Paige is just looking to survive college, so the entrance of Clay into her life came as a complete surprise. A surprise, which she cautiously welcomed. Soon the tow became inseparable. However, Clay’s past indiscretions threatened to tear them apart. Clay was a love them and leave them type of a guy, but all that changed when he met Paige. None of the girls he was with before could hold a candle to Paige. She was definitely it for him, but one particular female didn’t seem to get that memo.
Clay and Paige were great together. I loved how he saw beyond her scars to her beautiful soul. It took sometime for Clay to break through Paige’s walls. However, when he did their relationship developed rather quickly. Despite the fast pace at which their relationship developed the romance felt authentic.
I enjoyed Out of the Ashes, although there were parts where the pacing felt off. First of all it ended with a cliff-hangar, which I never saw coming and secondly it left me wondering if Clay and Paige’s relationship would survive these turn of events.
February 14, 2014
*I received an ARC copy by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I have no words to describe how remarkable this story was. Seriously. I just finished it and am sitting here in complete awe, confusion and frustration. There will definitely be a sequel because, unfortunately, it ends on a HUGE cliffhanger. Why? Why, Diana Gardin?! Why must you authors do this to us?
We first meet Paige Hill. Paige has had it rough. And I don’t mean “I have daddy issues” rough. I’m talking she lost her entire family in a house fire and almost lost her life kind of rough. Her story is tragic and heartbreaking. She is fragile and has horrible self-image issues due to some of the scarring left behind from her burns. But she is strong. She was allowed a second chance at life and is moving past her tragedy. She is slowly healing. At first, I thought this was going to be more of a story about Paige taking back what she lost, but it was more of a survival story. The plot was fantastic and I wound up reading the entire book in one sitting.
Paige has finally entered College life and unexpectedly meets Clay. She is instantly attracted to him, but gives him the brush off because she doesn’t think any guy could want her. What she doesn’t realize is that he feels the same way about her and wants to get to know her. But is she ready? After a horrible run-in with an ex of his at a party, she doesn’t necessarily want anything to do with him and his baggage, but he is persistent. The persistence does him good and she finally caves.
Clay Forbes is the kind of guy that gets anything he wants. He’s never had to pursue anyone. He’s the sexy soccer superstar. Girls pursue him, not the other way around. When he first meets Paige, he is drawn to her, which has never happened to him before. This, of course, leads him to pursuing her. I felt like Paige and Clay’s relationship might have moved a little too fast for my liking. Every other part of the pace of this book was spot on EXCEPT for their relationship. One minute they were just getting to know each other and the next they were confessing love. It felt a little unrealistic and way too rushed. I guess I would have liked to see a better lead up to their relationship, but I did feel the chemistry between the characters, so it wasn’t a deal breaker.
This story was a wonderful example of the fact that no matter how you feel about yourself, there is someone who doesn’t even notice because to them, they don’t see any flaws. It was amazing how Clay felt about Paige, scars and all. When she was so afraid he’d run from her after seeing them and hearing her story, he did the exact opposite. I couldn’t help but fall in love with his character. He made Paige feel good about herself again and he seemed to be helping her heal.
Click here to read my full review at Martini Times Romance
I have no words to describe how remarkable this story was. Seriously. I just finished it and am sitting here in complete awe, confusion and frustration. There will definitely be a sequel because, unfortunately, it ends on a HUGE cliffhanger. Why? Why, Diana Gardin?! Why must you authors do this to us?
We first meet Paige Hill. Paige has had it rough. And I don’t mean “I have daddy issues” rough. I’m talking she lost her entire family in a house fire and almost lost her life kind of rough. Her story is tragic and heartbreaking. She is fragile and has horrible self-image issues due to some of the scarring left behind from her burns. But she is strong. She was allowed a second chance at life and is moving past her tragedy. She is slowly healing. At first, I thought this was going to be more of a story about Paige taking back what she lost, but it was more of a survival story. The plot was fantastic and I wound up reading the entire book in one sitting.
Paige has finally entered College life and unexpectedly meets Clay. She is instantly attracted to him, but gives him the brush off because she doesn’t think any guy could want her. What she doesn’t realize is that he feels the same way about her and wants to get to know her. But is she ready? After a horrible run-in with an ex of his at a party, she doesn’t necessarily want anything to do with him and his baggage, but he is persistent. The persistence does him good and she finally caves.
Clay Forbes is the kind of guy that gets anything he wants. He’s never had to pursue anyone. He’s the sexy soccer superstar. Girls pursue him, not the other way around. When he first meets Paige, he is drawn to her, which has never happened to him before. This, of course, leads him to pursuing her. I felt like Paige and Clay’s relationship might have moved a little too fast for my liking. Every other part of the pace of this book was spot on EXCEPT for their relationship. One minute they were just getting to know each other and the next they were confessing love. It felt a little unrealistic and way too rushed. I guess I would have liked to see a better lead up to their relationship, but I did feel the chemistry between the characters, so it wasn’t a deal breaker.
This story was a wonderful example of the fact that no matter how you feel about yourself, there is someone who doesn’t even notice because to them, they don’t see any flaws. It was amazing how Clay felt about Paige, scars and all. When she was so afraid he’d run from her after seeing them and hearing her story, he did the exact opposite. I couldn’t help but fall in love with his character. He made Paige feel good about herself again and he seemed to be helping her heal.
Click here to read my full review at Martini Times Romance
February 11, 2014
See my full review here: http://sharonsbooknook.com/2014/02/11...
*Copy provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review*
This book is a wonderful story of survival and finding the strength to get on with life. Paige has lost everything; her family included in a tragic house fire and after spending a year recovering from extensive burns in hospital she is now well enough to leave and is keen to start living her life.
This book is well written, very clear and concise, flows along at a good pace, so much so that I had trouble putting this book down. The emotions from the very likeable characters are well projected that you feel as though you’re in their shoes. It is written in dual point of view between Paige and Clay which is great a drawing the reader into their relationship.
Paige and Clay make a wonderful pair. Paige is moving on with her life after her family tragedy. She’s enrolled in college and is determined to make a go of the life that has been dished out to her. This is where she meets Clay, who is drawn to her instantly. He’s a playboy who is happy to love em’ and leave em’ until he meets Paige, he can’t get off his mind. Their relationship is sweet and caring, and even the love scenes between them are tastefully written.
Our villain in this piece is Hannah, Clay’s ex-girlfriend. She is convinced that Clay will marry her and tries her best at tearing him and Paige apart. Hannah is a nasty character but her antics keep the story interesting as she is quite unpredictable. Her situation at the end of this book came as a complete surprise to me.
The book does end with a cliffhanger, and I felt it coming the closer I got to the end, so it was not much of a shock. However it does create a great opening for the next book in this series, and I look forward to reading that also.
This story has a bit of everything a nice romance, drama, mystery and suspense. I recommend it if you’re looking for more than just romance in a read. Great story!
*Copy provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review*
This book is a wonderful story of survival and finding the strength to get on with life. Paige has lost everything; her family included in a tragic house fire and after spending a year recovering from extensive burns in hospital she is now well enough to leave and is keen to start living her life.
This book is well written, very clear and concise, flows along at a good pace, so much so that I had trouble putting this book down. The emotions from the very likeable characters are well projected that you feel as though you’re in their shoes. It is written in dual point of view between Paige and Clay which is great a drawing the reader into their relationship.
Paige and Clay make a wonderful pair. Paige is moving on with her life after her family tragedy. She’s enrolled in college and is determined to make a go of the life that has been dished out to her. This is where she meets Clay, who is drawn to her instantly. He’s a playboy who is happy to love em’ and leave em’ until he meets Paige, he can’t get off his mind. Their relationship is sweet and caring, and even the love scenes between them are tastefully written.
Our villain in this piece is Hannah, Clay’s ex-girlfriend. She is convinced that Clay will marry her and tries her best at tearing him and Paige apart. Hannah is a nasty character but her antics keep the story interesting as she is quite unpredictable. Her situation at the end of this book came as a complete surprise to me.
The book does end with a cliffhanger, and I felt it coming the closer I got to the end, so it was not much of a shock. However it does create a great opening for the next book in this series, and I look forward to reading that also.
This story has a bit of everything a nice romance, drama, mystery and suspense. I recommend it if you’re looking for more than just romance in a read. Great story!
December 20, 2013
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Review can been seen on my website www.stephaniesbookreports starting 12/20/13.
Paige is a year late starting college because of a tragic fire causing her family to parish and she received severe burns. After a year of many surgeries and lots of work on herself she start college to do what her parents would have wanted her to do. She's not looking for any type relationship and even tries to keep herself in the safety of her own apartment but her roommate isn't having it.
Clay and Paige literally run into each other in the book store. She can't get away fast enough and he's intrigued wanting to learn more about the girl who seems to not be fazed by the most popular guy in school. They meet again at a party and eventually they chat for a bit before Paige runs scared. Not only that but Clay's ex, Hannah, has declared war on Paige if she doesn't stay away from Clay.
Well you know how that's gonna go. That's like stepping in a goat pen with food and turning your back on them thinking you'll be able to get to their feeding dishes without getting butted. HA! Fat chance. Anyway, there's this entitlement factor with Hannah. She appears to believe that Clay only belongs her just because she says so. He's not having it. He asks at every turn for Hanna to leave him and Paige alone. Drama central with a twist at the end!!
I liked this book a lot. There were times when I thought Paige was a little whiny but she's dealing with a tremendous amount of pressure and trying to acclimate herself to college life. That in itself isn't an easy feat especially coming in a year behind where you normally would have started.
This book does end in a cliffhanger and I am so looking forward to the next book to see where Clay & Paige end up.
Paige is a year late starting college because of a tragic fire causing her family to parish and she received severe burns. After a year of many surgeries and lots of work on herself she start college to do what her parents would have wanted her to do. She's not looking for any type relationship and even tries to keep herself in the safety of her own apartment but her roommate isn't having it.
Clay and Paige literally run into each other in the book store. She can't get away fast enough and he's intrigued wanting to learn more about the girl who seems to not be fazed by the most popular guy in school. They meet again at a party and eventually they chat for a bit before Paige runs scared. Not only that but Clay's ex, Hannah, has declared war on Paige if she doesn't stay away from Clay.
Well you know how that's gonna go. That's like stepping in a goat pen with food and turning your back on them thinking you'll be able to get to their feeding dishes without getting butted. HA! Fat chance. Anyway, there's this entitlement factor with Hannah. She appears to believe that Clay only belongs her just because she says so. He's not having it. He asks at every turn for Hanna to leave him and Paige alone. Drama central with a twist at the end!!
I liked this book a lot. There were times when I thought Paige was a little whiny but she's dealing with a tremendous amount of pressure and trying to acclimate herself to college life. That in itself isn't an easy feat especially coming in a year behind where you normally would have started.
This book does end in a cliffhanger and I am so looking forward to the next book to see where Clay & Paige end up.
November 6, 2016
Loved this college romance.
Paige is a girl trying to move on after losing everything including people she loved in a fire. Her scars have faded but still visible and the nightmares and memories are still very present. With the support of her best friend and a year of physical healing Paige is ready to start college.
Paige is a girl still trying to find her way gaining her confidence with every step.
Clay, he's a popular guy, on the football team, a guy the girls fall over, typical College Jock.
It's an insta love story for Clay and a shift in his whole behaviour takes place to get the girl who he literally ran into at the bookstore and was unable to forget.
A journey of young love, healing, trust, fears and in the mix a Jelous delusional evil ex and drama.
I was loving the plot, Clay turned out to be a sweet and swoon worthy guy.
"You're gorgeous. Sexy. Adorable. Your imperfections they only make you perfect for me and that's the gadamn truth"
"if I'm not with you I'm always on my way to you"
So the manwhore Clay who entered this book melted away with his adoring words for Paige.
Told in dual pov's I was completely glued to the pages and loving Paige and Clay's journey.
Ending on a huge cliffhanger there's comfort in the fact this is a three part box set already complete and I am looking forward to book 2.
box set arc recieved for review
Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends (Facebook)
http://www.Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
Paige is a girl trying to move on after losing everything including people she loved in a fire. Her scars have faded but still visible and the nightmares and memories are still very present. With the support of her best friend and a year of physical healing Paige is ready to start college.
Paige is a girl still trying to find her way gaining her confidence with every step.
Clay, he's a popular guy, on the football team, a guy the girls fall over, typical College Jock.
It's an insta love story for Clay and a shift in his whole behaviour takes place to get the girl who he literally ran into at the bookstore and was unable to forget.
A journey of young love, healing, trust, fears and in the mix a Jelous delusional evil ex and drama.
I was loving the plot, Clay turned out to be a sweet and swoon worthy guy.
"You're gorgeous. Sexy. Adorable. Your imperfections they only make you perfect for me and that's the gadamn truth"
"if I'm not with you I'm always on my way to you"
So the manwhore Clay who entered this book melted away with his adoring words for Paige.
Told in dual pov's I was completely glued to the pages and loving Paige and Clay's journey.
Ending on a huge cliffhanger there's comfort in the fact this is a three part box set already complete and I am looking forward to book 2.
box set arc recieved for review
Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends (Facebook)
http://www.Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
December 28, 2013
This was a really good book. Paige Hill has gone through literal hell. Her house burns down and she loses all of her family (parents and brother) and she has burns all over her body. She finally makes it to college and rooms with her best friend, Gillian. Paige meets Clay Forbes who is gorgeous and women all want him. He's a playboy and never really interested in sticking around with one girl. A girl that thought she was going to marry Clay, Hannah, is psycho. She thinks she and Clay are going to end up together (which Clay did help in somewhat). Clay from the first moment he comes into contact with Paige has fallen for her. They have a great relationship but Hannah will stop at nothing to ruin it.
Some people will stop at nothing to torture other people, that is Hannah. She has no consideration for anyone, she just thinks that she deserves to get what she wants. And when she can't get what she wants, she goes for revenge.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to find out what happens next.
Some people will stop at nothing to torture other people, that is Hannah. She has no consideration for anyone, she just thinks that she deserves to get what she wants. And when she can't get what she wants, she goes for revenge.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to find out what happens next.
November 2, 2015
I gotta say I loved the authors style in this book! The book is written from the point of view of both Paige and Clay!
I was glued to the book right from the beginning and I finished the book in a day!
You obviously find out about Paige in the book, who from the title is a victim of a fire accident...
The rest of the story revolves around her life, the fact that she is attending college a year later, dealing with the bruises in her body causes by the accident, meeting a new dreamy guy Clay! Dealing with his ex - Hanna...
I really liked Gillian- a best friend who is more like a sister.... She is awesome!
And of course CLAY, A boyfriend, who is so caring and is the best when it comes to understanding his gal! Did I mention he is damn hawt???
I gotta say the ending caught me off guard! It was a really big cliff hanger and I can't wait for the sequel...
A good read!! :))
I was glued to the book right from the beginning and I finished the book in a day!
You obviously find out about Paige in the book, who from the title is a victim of a fire accident...
The rest of the story revolves around her life, the fact that she is attending college a year later, dealing with the bruises in her body causes by the accident, meeting a new dreamy guy Clay! Dealing with his ex - Hanna...
I really liked Gillian- a best friend who is more like a sister.... She is awesome!
And of course CLAY, A boyfriend, who is so caring and is the best when it comes to understanding his gal! Did I mention he is damn hawt???
I gotta say the ending caught me off guard! It was a really big cliff hanger and I can't wait for the sequel...
A good read!! :))
November 23, 2013
arc received in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this book. An original story line which you hardly see now. 2 good characters with great chemistry. I could have used more build up to them being in love but it kinda worked. Didnt want the story to end but the cliffhanger was interesting. want the next book now!!!
I really enjoyed this book. An original story line which you hardly see now. 2 good characters with great chemistry. I could have used more build up to them being in love but it kinda worked. Didnt want the story to end but the cliffhanger was interesting. want the next book now!!!
Want to read
December 14, 2013I heard this ends on a cliffhanger :( ;(
*going to skip for now*
*going to skip for now*
February 4, 2022
Ashes suck
Paige is a young woman that lost everything that any person would have trouble with. She lives with her best friend in a house outside of the small college campus that she is now attending. She meets a boy who seems to want to get to know her better but she has extreme trust issues because of her past. Clay is a young man who plays on the soccer team at the university. He runs into Paige the first time at the bookstore and she intrigues him from the outset. He tries to get her to go get coffee with him but she runs as fast as she can away from him. He later sees her again and manages to get her to see him for a nice guy. They start a relationship that seems to involve a loving and trusting environment. But Clay’s ex has something to say about his involvement with Paige from the outset and she tries her best to come between them. What ensues is craziness beyond the pale and something’s make you wonder what the hell.
Paige is a young woman that lost everything that any person would have trouble with. She lives with her best friend in a house outside of the small college campus that she is now attending. She meets a boy who seems to want to get to know her better but she has extreme trust issues because of her past. Clay is a young man who plays on the soccer team at the university. He runs into Paige the first time at the bookstore and she intrigues him from the outset. He tries to get her to go get coffee with him but she runs as fast as she can away from him. He later sees her again and manages to get her to see him for a nice guy. They start a relationship that seems to involve a loving and trusting environment. But Clay’s ex has something to say about his involvement with Paige from the outset and she tries her best to come between them. What ensues is craziness beyond the pale and something’s make you wonder what the hell.
May 8, 2017
Good read
It was a good read. Plenty of twist and turns and lots of drama. Leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger but I'm definitely interested in reading the next book.
It was a good read. Plenty of twist and turns and lots of drama. Leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger but I'm definitely interested in reading the next book.
July 15, 2017
I love Diana's books, she is one of my favourite authors.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
December 10, 2013
You can also find my review on my blog:
http://www.read-love-blog.com/2013/12...
Out of the Ashes is the first in a new series from author Diana Gardin and a book I really enjoyed.
After a horrific fire took her entire family from her, Paige Hill enrolls in college with her best friend and is trying her best to live her life. The scars that mar her skin have healed pretty well, but the scars that mar her soul will never go away. It’s those emotional scars she wants to keep buried deep. Keeping people at a distance is always a safe bet but when Paige meets a gorgeous soccer player at the beginning of the semester and, after spending more and more time with him, she finds herself wanting to share her secret pain. Can this gorgeous, blue-eyed soccer jock look past her scars and grow to love her? Not if his vindictive ex-girlfriend has anything to say about it….
Running into the beautiful stranger at the bookstore has been on Clay’s mind for the last few days. Never had he been so affected by a girl before. On a mission to find out who she is, he’s surprised when she turns up at a party at his apartment. Turning on the charm he’s known for, he can’t help but feel that she’s special and she won’t be like any other girl he’s ever been with. With her shy smile and her understated beauty, he knows he will do whatever it takes to gain her trust and her heart. Now he just has to make sure his ex-girlfriend knows it’s over between then for good.
Paige and Clay have more than a few obstacles in their way. Paige’s family tragedy, Clay’s hateful ex-girlfriend, raw emotions and navigating a new love are just a few of them. They have found something special, but will it be strong enough to withstand all that life throws at them?
Ok, so I will say it now: this book has a cliffhanger ending. Now, I don’t mind them but I know a lot of people do. If you’re one of them, I suggest waiting until the second book comes out and read both books back to back. That being said, the ending had me gasping and my eyes bugging out when I read it. Not in a bad way….quite the opposite. It was a huge twist and I loved it. Paige has been through so much and I admire her will to live and to pick up her pieces and move forward as best she can. Clay is so amazing with her and treats her exactly how she needs to be treated. He is really in-tune with her needs and emotion states. He’s gentle, loving and kind but knows when he can give her a little push. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. Paige’s best friend, Gillian, is a friend anyone would be lucky to have. She’s strong and loyal and is the rock Paige needs at her lowest moments. Clay’s has two close friends that also some great people. However, the ex-girlfriend, Hannah, is a raging psycho and tormented poor Paige. I wish I could hunt her down and give her a piece of my mind. Grrrrr. All of the relationship building and ups and downs leads us to an ending I never saw coming. Whoa. Diana really shocked me and I loved it!
Overall, Out of the Ashes is an enjoyable story about new love, letting go of the bad and letting in the good and overcoming the worst life can throw at you. If you don’t mind the cliffhanger ending, I definitely recommend this book. Thank you, Diana, for a fabulous story. I cannot WAIT to see what book #2 holds for us!
http://www.read-love-blog.com/2013/12...
Out of the Ashes is the first in a new series from author Diana Gardin and a book I really enjoyed.
After a horrific fire took her entire family from her, Paige Hill enrolls in college with her best friend and is trying her best to live her life. The scars that mar her skin have healed pretty well, but the scars that mar her soul will never go away. It’s those emotional scars she wants to keep buried deep. Keeping people at a distance is always a safe bet but when Paige meets a gorgeous soccer player at the beginning of the semester and, after spending more and more time with him, she finds herself wanting to share her secret pain. Can this gorgeous, blue-eyed soccer jock look past her scars and grow to love her? Not if his vindictive ex-girlfriend has anything to say about it….
Running into the beautiful stranger at the bookstore has been on Clay’s mind for the last few days. Never had he been so affected by a girl before. On a mission to find out who she is, he’s surprised when she turns up at a party at his apartment. Turning on the charm he’s known for, he can’t help but feel that she’s special and she won’t be like any other girl he’s ever been with. With her shy smile and her understated beauty, he knows he will do whatever it takes to gain her trust and her heart. Now he just has to make sure his ex-girlfriend knows it’s over between then for good.
Paige and Clay have more than a few obstacles in their way. Paige’s family tragedy, Clay’s hateful ex-girlfriend, raw emotions and navigating a new love are just a few of them. They have found something special, but will it be strong enough to withstand all that life throws at them?
Ok, so I will say it now: this book has a cliffhanger ending. Now, I don’t mind them but I know a lot of people do. If you’re one of them, I suggest waiting until the second book comes out and read both books back to back. That being said, the ending had me gasping and my eyes bugging out when I read it. Not in a bad way….quite the opposite. It was a huge twist and I loved it. Paige has been through so much and I admire her will to live and to pick up her pieces and move forward as best she can. Clay is so amazing with her and treats her exactly how she needs to be treated. He is really in-tune with her needs and emotion states. He’s gentle, loving and kind but knows when he can give her a little push. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. Paige’s best friend, Gillian, is a friend anyone would be lucky to have. She’s strong and loyal and is the rock Paige needs at her lowest moments. Clay’s has two close friends that also some great people. However, the ex-girlfriend, Hannah, is a raging psycho and tormented poor Paige. I wish I could hunt her down and give her a piece of my mind. Grrrrr. All of the relationship building and ups and downs leads us to an ending I never saw coming. Whoa. Diana really shocked me and I loved it!
Overall, Out of the Ashes is an enjoyable story about new love, letting go of the bad and letting in the good and overcoming the worst life can throw at you. If you don’t mind the cliffhanger ending, I definitely recommend this book. Thank you, Diana, for a fabulous story. I cannot WAIT to see what book #2 holds for us!
January 28, 2014
Out of Ashes by Diana Gardin started off strong. I felt for Paige and her story. I even loved Clay. However, as the drama heated up, I think things got out of hand. Plus that ending came out of no where! So in the end, I can say that I liked it for the most part, but I couldn’t love it.
Paige lost her entire family in an accidental house fire. In Out of Ashes, we see her entering back into a regular life with her best friend as her only family. I loved Paige. I could understand her grief and her difficulties. She felt very real to me. Her relationship with Clay did feel a bit rushed. However, I was able to over look it because I truly think Clay and Paige were good for each other.
My lack of disbelief starts when Hannah, Clay’s ex, enters the picture. Her drama and the things she pulled were way over-the-top. I couldn’t imagine no one stepping in or going to the dean for the stunts she was pulling. Plus with the way Clay handled her, he totally walked into that situation. Hannah was obviously crazy. Clay should have seen some of her stunts coming a mile away!
Lastly, that ending came out of no where! I don’t want to delve into details and spoil it, but it was a crazy finish. I can’t comprehend how or why it ended that way. Also just FYI, it does end in a cliffhanger. So there really wasn’t any end resolution to the plot.
Will I read the sequel? Probably. I want to see Paige’s happily ever after. Although there is only so much craziness and over-the-top drama I can take. I’m definitely reaching my limit. Overall, I’d give Out of Ashes by Diana Gardin 3 stars.
Paige lost her entire family in an accidental house fire. In Out of Ashes, we see her entering back into a regular life with her best friend as her only family. I loved Paige. I could understand her grief and her difficulties. She felt very real to me. Her relationship with Clay did feel a bit rushed. However, I was able to over look it because I truly think Clay and Paige were good for each other.
My lack of disbelief starts when Hannah, Clay’s ex, enters the picture. Her drama and the things she pulled were way over-the-top. I couldn’t imagine no one stepping in or going to the dean for the stunts she was pulling. Plus with the way Clay handled her, he totally walked into that situation. Hannah was obviously crazy. Clay should have seen some of her stunts coming a mile away!
Lastly, that ending came out of no where! I don’t want to delve into details and spoil it, but it was a crazy finish. I can’t comprehend how or why it ended that way. Also just FYI, it does end in a cliffhanger. So there really wasn’t any end resolution to the plot.
Will I read the sequel? Probably. I want to see Paige’s happily ever after. Although there is only so much craziness and over-the-top drama I can take. I’m definitely reaching my limit. Overall, I’d give Out of Ashes by Diana Gardin 3 stars.
November 7, 2016
Loved this college romance.
Paige is a girl trying to move on after losing everything including people she loved in a fire. Her scars have faded but still visible and the nightmares and memories are still very present. With the support of her best friend and a year of physical healing Paige is ready to start college.
Paige is a girl still trying to find her way gaining her confidence with every step.
Clay, he's a popular guy, on the football team, a guy the girls fall over, typical College Jock.
It's an insta love story for Clay and a shift in his whole behavior takes place to get the girl who he literally ran into at the bookstore and was unable to forget.
A journey of young love, healing, trust, fears and in the mix a Jelous delusional evil ex and drama.
I was loving the plot, Clay turned out to be a sweet and swoon worthy guy.
"You're gorgeous. Sexy. Adorable. Your imperfections they only make you perfect for me and that's the gadamn truth"
"if I'm not with you I'm always on my way to you"
So the man-whore Clay who entered this book melted away with his adoring words for Paige.
Told in dual pov's I was completely glued to the pages and loving Paige and Clay's journey.
Ending on a huge cliffhanger there's comfort in the fact this is a three part box set already complete and I am looking forward to book 2.
box set arc received for review
Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends (Facebook)
Paige is a girl trying to move on after losing everything including people she loved in a fire. Her scars have faded but still visible and the nightmares and memories are still very present. With the support of her best friend and a year of physical healing Paige is ready to start college.
Paige is a girl still trying to find her way gaining her confidence with every step.
Clay, he's a popular guy, on the football team, a guy the girls fall over, typical College Jock.
It's an insta love story for Clay and a shift in his whole behavior takes place to get the girl who he literally ran into at the bookstore and was unable to forget.
A journey of young love, healing, trust, fears and in the mix a Jelous delusional evil ex and drama.
I was loving the plot, Clay turned out to be a sweet and swoon worthy guy.
"You're gorgeous. Sexy. Adorable. Your imperfections they only make you perfect for me and that's the gadamn truth"
"if I'm not with you I'm always on my way to you"
So the man-whore Clay who entered this book melted away with his adoring words for Paige.
Told in dual pov's I was completely glued to the pages and loving Paige and Clay's journey.
Ending on a huge cliffhanger there's comfort in the fact this is a three part box set already complete and I am looking forward to book 2.
box set arc received for review
Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends (Facebook)
December 20, 2013
3 stars. Overall it wasn't bad. I liked the story and the writing was fine. I just found it a little predictable. I didn't much care for any of the characters, generally they aren't bad, I just felt that Paige seemed younger than 20, and I just thought that she maybe could have been a little stronger. Clay for a player was far too 'clean cut'. I don't like my book men to be clean cut, I like them to have an edge and Clay didn't really have one.
As a story it works fine and Diana Gardin can write a good story. The ending although predictable was good and it has made me want to continue with the story.
The book is classed as New Adult, it didn't have that feel for me, it all seemed a little more high school than college. Just a note for the author to maybe make it a little more adult to appeal to the wider readers. Don't be shy Diana!
I do believe this is the authors 1st or 2nd piece of writing, so I believe there is room for improvement in the next book. Although I didn't think it was awesome, it was just ok for me. The 3 stars mostly for the ending having redeemed slightly. I will read the rest in the series, but I won't rush for them.
I receieved a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
As a story it works fine and Diana Gardin can write a good story. The ending although predictable was good and it has made me want to continue with the story.
The book is classed as New Adult, it didn't have that feel for me, it all seemed a little more high school than college. Just a note for the author to maybe make it a little more adult to appeal to the wider readers. Don't be shy Diana!
I do believe this is the authors 1st or 2nd piece of writing, so I believe there is room for improvement in the next book. Although I didn't think it was awesome, it was just ok for me. The 3 stars mostly for the ending having redeemed slightly. I will read the rest in the series, but I won't rush for them.
I receieved a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
January 5, 2015
I gave it three stars because this story could have ended in one book and I don't like cliff hangers. I'm not sure I will continue reading the next book. I would like to know if there is a happily ever after, but not sure I want to pay for the next book to find out esp. if the story goes on and on for 3 or 4 more books. I rather authors just make one longer book. I think another 50 pages or so this book could have been wrapped up, not another whole book.
November 1, 2016
So I really like Clay and Paige. This story had alot of potential to get a 5 star from me but I felt like there was alot going on in it. Budding romance, lots of secrets, ex girlfriend, ex boyfriend and more. I just think maybe there was a little to much going on in the one book and then their was the triangle. I hate love triangles with all my heart.
Overlooking all of the above I really couldn't wait to get into book 2. Well worth a read.
Overlooking all of the above I really couldn't wait to get into book 2. Well worth a read.
August 24, 2014
I enjoyed the book, but I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to read book 2. There wasn't anything I disliked about it other than punctuation errors. If you're going to publish a book it should be grammatically correct. :)
December 11, 2013
3.5 stars
Full review to come on release.
Just OMFG! Where's the next one???
Full review to come on release.
Just OMFG! Where's the next one???
December 18, 2013
Pretty predictable; but nice, sweet story!
March 23, 2015
Not the best book I've ever read, but entertaining enough to finish.
November 8, 2016
this was a first read for me bu diana gardin and boy did she bring it.
i loved paige and clay so much im about to dig into the 2nd book.
i loved paige and clay so much im about to dig into the 2nd book.
February 17, 2017
Serious cliffhanger!
Thank god the second book in the series is out! I'm not sure I'd make it if I had to wait months to see what happens with Clay and Paige.
Thank god the second book in the series is out! I'm not sure I'd make it if I had to wait months to see what happens with Clay and Paige.
January 6, 2017
Amazing book! Great balance between the romance, action and suspense! I couldn't put this one down and hated when I had to. Loved it!
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