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Torn Hearts #1
Amber to Ashes
From the New York Times bestselling author of Collide and Pulse comes a gritty new novel about a shattered young woman who unexpectedly falls for two best friends.
They were a storm I never saw coming, an unforeseen heartbreak on the edge of a dangerous cliff.
Amber Moretti’s life changes in the span of minutes. An orphaned outsider, she is desperate to start fresh the moment she walks onto campus. In the time it takes to cross the university’s dining hall, she meets two men who bring color, air, and light to her darkened world.
They became my addiction, each a needle to my next hit, my high.
Brock Cunningham’s appeal is dizzying, a potent force Amber can’t deny. A green-eyed smooth talker, he instantly attracts Amber. It doesn’t take long for him to consume her every thought.
Ryder Ashcroft, a blue-eyed, tattooed, and pierced bad boy, turns Amber off immediately—that is, until he kisses her, stealing a piece of her heart.
They were as opposite as fire and ice, yet I ached for them equally.
Never knowing she could be broken down in so many unexpected ways, Amber finds herself falling for both men.
Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable. Uncontained.
But one devastating event changes everything…and Amber isn’t sure she can recover from it.
They were a storm I never saw coming, an unforeseen heartbreak on the edge of a dangerous cliff.
Amber Moretti’s life changes in the span of minutes. An orphaned outsider, she is desperate to start fresh the moment she walks onto campus. In the time it takes to cross the university’s dining hall, she meets two men who bring color, air, and light to her darkened world.
They became my addiction, each a needle to my next hit, my high.
Brock Cunningham’s appeal is dizzying, a potent force Amber can’t deny. A green-eyed smooth talker, he instantly attracts Amber. It doesn’t take long for him to consume her every thought.
Ryder Ashcroft, a blue-eyed, tattooed, and pierced bad boy, turns Amber off immediately—that is, until he kisses her, stealing a piece of her heart.
They were as opposite as fire and ice, yet I ached for them equally.
Never knowing she could be broken down in so many unexpected ways, Amber finds herself falling for both men.
Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable. Uncontained.
But one devastating event changes everything…and Amber isn’t sure she can recover from it.
480 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2015
205 people are currently reading
8545 people want to read
About the author
Gail McHugh
11 books6,181 followersA self-proclaimed chocoholic, married mother of three, and a lover of writing for as far back as she can remember, Gail McHugh is the author of two New York Times bestselling novels. The COLLIDE series (which includes COLLIDE and PULSE), was acquired by Atria Books on September 17th, 2013.
“The first of two sexy contemporary romances about a woman torn between her seemingly perfect boyfriend and a dark, mysterious stranger who will stop at nothing to have her.” - Publishers Weekly on COLLIDE, a Top 10 Romance pick!
Gail's next novel (also publishing through Atria Books), AMBER TO ASHES, is slated to release June 9th, 2015.
You can follow Gail on the below social media sites and email:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGailMc...
Twitter: @Gail_McHugh
Amazon: amazon.com/author/gailmchugh
Email: author.gail.mchugh@gmail.com
And her blog at: www.authorgailmchugh.com
“The first of two sexy contemporary romances about a woman torn between her seemingly perfect boyfriend and a dark, mysterious stranger who will stop at nothing to have her.” - Publishers Weekly on COLLIDE, a Top 10 Romance pick!
Gail's next novel (also publishing through Atria Books), AMBER TO ASHES, is slated to release June 9th, 2015.
You can follow Gail on the below social media sites and email:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGailMc...
Twitter: @Gail_McHugh
Amazon: amazon.com/author/gailmchugh
Email: author.gail.mchugh@gmail.com
And her blog at: www.authorgailmchugh.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 639 reviews
April 22, 2015
I just read one of the most spectacularly written, twisted, emotional, and beautifully f*cked up things I've ever read.
Ever.
Of all time.
This book makes Gavin Blake, who you know I love with all my book whore heart and soul, look bland. Flat. One dimensional.
Yeah, I just said that; it wasn't a mistake.
Read that again.
And did I mention it has THE hottest scene I've EVER read? Ever-ever?
*fans self and blushes*
Ryder and Brock from Gail Mchugh "Amber To Ashes" are .... well, what are they not?
They're alpha males. Gorgeous. Sexy. Seductive. Bad boys, yet in so many ways, they're good men.
They're loyal. Bad*ss. And they will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to protect those they love.
They're everything and more.
They're the thing I thought impossible. I never thought Gail could outdo Gavin - he was "hook, line, and motherf*cking sinker".
Well, he's been sunk by two dangerously addictive college athletes/entrepreneurs.
I finished about an hour ago and my heart is still in pieces, my brain matching it shattered sliver by sliver.
This book will consume you. Destroy you. Flip you one way and then twist you right back around. You'll swoon, swear, and sigh, not to mention bawl, bellow, and blast the author for being so ridiculously brilliant that you'll never be the same.
Amber To Ashes is a MUST READ OF EPIC PROPORTIONS.
Ever.
Of all time.
This book makes Gavin Blake, who you know I love with all my book whore heart and soul, look bland. Flat. One dimensional.
Yeah, I just said that; it wasn't a mistake.
Read that again.
And did I mention it has THE hottest scene I've EVER read? Ever-ever?
*fans self and blushes*
Ryder and Brock from Gail Mchugh "Amber To Ashes" are .... well, what are they not?
They're alpha males. Gorgeous. Sexy. Seductive. Bad boys, yet in so many ways, they're good men.
They're loyal. Bad*ss. And they will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to protect those they love.
They're everything and more.
They're the thing I thought impossible. I never thought Gail could outdo Gavin - he was "hook, line, and motherf*cking sinker".
Well, he's been sunk by two dangerously addictive college athletes/entrepreneurs.
I finished about an hour ago and my heart is still in pieces, my brain matching it shattered sliver by sliver.
This book will consume you. Destroy you. Flip you one way and then twist you right back around. You'll swoon, swear, and sigh, not to mention bawl, bellow, and blast the author for being so ridiculously brilliant that you'll never be the same.
Amber To Ashes is a MUST READ OF EPIC PROPORTIONS.
May 29, 2015
Holy shit. I mean holy shit... A MILLION PLUS stars!!!!
I don't even know how to express how utterly stunning and unique this book is. Gail McHugh has just literally rendered me speechless, multiple times. This book will have you hooked from the first page until the very last, BEGGING For more. I know I am, I'm thinking about bribery to see if I can't get my hands on an early copy of Book Two. GAH! I need it right now.
“I fell for the two loves of my life when I was nineteen. Yes, two. Plural. More than one. Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable.”
I have to say that this book has given me the ultimate book hangover. SO much so that I haven't been able to read anything in almost 2 weeks. I tried, but all I could think about was the outcome to this story. The absolute conviction of love that Ryder and Brock have for Amber is just bewildering. I have to say that I have loved and hated all three of these characters at some point in the story. I'm definitely team Ryder though. Brock had his moments for me, but in the end I had to go with the pure chemistry between Amber and Ryder.
“Just like faith, love is another misconception held by those who believe in fairy tales. Fairy Tales don't exist; neither do knights on white horses. In my honest opinion every book princess in history was a stupid, naive twit.”
The characters that Gail McHugh has developed are beautifully damaged, undeniably tainted and have haunted my waking thoughts for the past weeks. The desperation, want, need, angst, lust, and agony create moments that you'll never forget. This story is purely magic, dark magic. I've never read a book quite like this and unless it's the upcoming novel(s) to this – I probably never will. Amber to ashes enchants you like no other, with dark undertones and animalistic sexual desire.
I need you a hundred times more than I need my next breath, a thousand times more than I need my next heartbeat, and a million times more than I need to wake up to the sun hanging in the sky.”
There are so many things that I want to tell you about this novel, but I can't bring myself to tell you because this story is too epic to even tell you a little! All I have to say is Gail McHugh is a GENIOUS. I've undoubtedly become a true fangirl. I can't tell you how much I am anticipating her next release. I. Must. Own. Them. ALL. Also, YOU MUST TOO!! Hands down this is THE book to read this year. Oh, and next year too. Let's just say this is THE book to read foreverrrrrrrrrr! Or should I say Series.......
So I'm gonna go crawl in a hole now until Gail McHugh's next release. See that rock over there? Yes. Over there. I'll be under it, so send some blankets, pillows, and food... and if you can make it happen – send over Gail, so I can hug her for such an incredible, impressionable, hauntingly beautiful, expressive read.
I don't even know how to express how utterly stunning and unique this book is. Gail McHugh has just literally rendered me speechless, multiple times. This book will have you hooked from the first page until the very last, BEGGING For more. I know I am, I'm thinking about bribery to see if I can't get my hands on an early copy of Book Two. GAH! I need it right now.
“I fell for the two loves of my life when I was nineteen. Yes, two. Plural. More than one. Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable.”
I have to say that this book has given me the ultimate book hangover. SO much so that I haven't been able to read anything in almost 2 weeks. I tried, but all I could think about was the outcome to this story. The absolute conviction of love that Ryder and Brock have for Amber is just bewildering. I have to say that I have loved and hated all three of these characters at some point in the story. I'm definitely team Ryder though. Brock had his moments for me, but in the end I had to go with the pure chemistry between Amber and Ryder.
“Just like faith, love is another misconception held by those who believe in fairy tales. Fairy Tales don't exist; neither do knights on white horses. In my honest opinion every book princess in history was a stupid, naive twit.”
The characters that Gail McHugh has developed are beautifully damaged, undeniably tainted and have haunted my waking thoughts for the past weeks. The desperation, want, need, angst, lust, and agony create moments that you'll never forget. This story is purely magic, dark magic. I've never read a book quite like this and unless it's the upcoming novel(s) to this – I probably never will. Amber to ashes enchants you like no other, with dark undertones and animalistic sexual desire.
I need you a hundred times more than I need my next breath, a thousand times more than I need my next heartbeat, and a million times more than I need to wake up to the sun hanging in the sky.”
There are so many things that I want to tell you about this novel, but I can't bring myself to tell you because this story is too epic to even tell you a little! All I have to say is Gail McHugh is a GENIOUS. I've undoubtedly become a true fangirl. I can't tell you how much I am anticipating her next release. I. Must. Own. Them. ALL. Also, YOU MUST TOO!! Hands down this is THE book to read this year. Oh, and next year too. Let's just say this is THE book to read foreverrrrrrrrrr! Or should I say Series.......
So I'm gonna go crawl in a hole now until Gail McHugh's next release. See that rock over there? Yes. Over there. I'll be under it, so send some blankets, pillows, and food... and if you can make it happen – send over Gail, so I can hug her for such an incredible, impressionable, hauntingly beautiful, expressive read.
May 25, 2015
3.5 Stars
”I fell for the two loves of my life when I was nineteen. Yes, two. Plural. More than one. Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable.”
I just love a good angsty love triangle the juicier the better, so I was super excited that Gail McHugh gave me the opportunity to read this story early. This story is centered around Amber Moretti a college student (the hottest thing any guy has laid eyes on) who struggles with PTSD the rements of a tragic event in her past involving her birth parents. She meets on the same day two of the hottest guys on campus, Ryder Ashcroft and Brock Cunningham.
Ryder and Brock are best friends, teammates and shady business partners. They both make very strong first impressions but it’s Brock who seals the deal and becomes Amber’s first boyfriend. Make no mistake Amber isn’t an innocent virgin but this is her first time caring for someone outside of sex.
”I won’t take no for an answer, and whether or not you want me to, I’m gonna find your pieces so I can put you back together.”
The story is written in mostly Amber’s pov but we are gifted with both Ryder and Brock’s pov along the way which I appreciated. Ryder and Amber’s attraction is noticeable and electric however Brock is just as irresistible and so as the story progresses as does Amber’s confusion.
”Fuck. It should’ve been me. Not him. Me.”
The added excitement to the story is Brock and Ryder’s business taking a few deadly turns. I found both male characters feelings, thoughts and A LOT of dialogue eye rolling at times and the writing just way too WORDY and SLOW going until you reach the 65 percent. The sex scenes were hot especially that m/f/m scene although the end result was inevitable.
”My feelings for Amber, her feelings for me, Brook wanting to share her: it’s all a dangerous shit storm of emotions brewing, waiting to demolish us all.”
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Truth be told I liked both guys and am somewhat confused as to their enormous obsession with Amber who isn’t especially lovable. Their continuous over the top proclamations got pretty tiresome.
”I’d rather die than fuck up this girl, this unique gem.”
”Still, as she kisses me, her feverish little tugs on my hair, urgent strokes, and hips bucking against mine like crazed nympho says all this cat needs to know.”
”I can live without the sun, but I can’t exist without you.”
Overall, I found this story very wordy, the love triangle interesting and the shady business exciting. I liked the added touches of each characters' family and past and do think the next book could be a very interesting read! As to who I would pick if I had to make such a difficult choice. I would go with Ryder personally. Please note that this book does end with a cliffhanger as well. Looking forward to seeing where Gail McHugh brings this trio in book two.
”I…Brock…God, Brock, I…love Ryder just as much as he does me, if not…more. But I don’t love him any more or less than I do you. I don’t ….think, at least.”
*ARC provided by Gail McHugh in exchange for an honest review*
”I fell for the two loves of my life when I was nineteen. Yes, two. Plural. More than one. Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable.”
I just love a good angsty love triangle the juicier the better, so I was super excited that Gail McHugh gave me the opportunity to read this story early. This story is centered around Amber Moretti a college student (the hottest thing any guy has laid eyes on) who struggles with PTSD the rements of a tragic event in her past involving her birth parents. She meets on the same day two of the hottest guys on campus, Ryder Ashcroft and Brock Cunningham.
Ryder and Brock are best friends, teammates and shady business partners. They both make very strong first impressions but it’s Brock who seals the deal and becomes Amber’s first boyfriend. Make no mistake Amber isn’t an innocent virgin but this is her first time caring for someone outside of sex.
”I won’t take no for an answer, and whether or not you want me to, I’m gonna find your pieces so I can put you back together.”
The story is written in mostly Amber’s pov but we are gifted with both Ryder and Brock’s pov along the way which I appreciated. Ryder and Amber’s attraction is noticeable and electric however Brock is just as irresistible and so as the story progresses as does Amber’s confusion.
”Fuck. It should’ve been me. Not him. Me.”
The added excitement to the story is Brock and Ryder’s business taking a few deadly turns. I found both male characters feelings, thoughts and A LOT of dialogue eye rolling at times and the writing just way too WORDY and SLOW going until you reach the 65 percent. The sex scenes were hot especially that m/f/m scene although the end result was inevitable.
”My feelings for Amber, her feelings for me, Brook wanting to share her: it’s all a dangerous shit storm of emotions brewing, waiting to demolish us all.”
[image error]
Truth be told I liked both guys and am somewhat confused as to their enormous obsession with Amber who isn’t especially lovable. Their continuous over the top proclamations got pretty tiresome.
”I’d rather die than fuck up this girl, this unique gem.”
”Still, as she kisses me, her feverish little tugs on my hair, urgent strokes, and hips bucking against mine like crazed nympho says all this cat needs to know.”
”I can live without the sun, but I can’t exist without you.”
Overall, I found this story very wordy, the love triangle interesting and the shady business exciting. I liked the added touches of each characters' family and past and do think the next book could be a very interesting read! As to who I would pick if I had to make such a difficult choice. I would go with Ryder personally. Please note that this book does end with a cliffhanger as well. Looking forward to seeing where Gail McHugh brings this trio in book two.
”I…Brock…God, Brock, I…love Ryder just as much as he does me, if not…more. But I don’t love him any more or less than I do you. I don’t ….think, at least.”
*ARC provided by Gail McHugh in exchange for an honest review*
September 9, 2017
4 stars!
Amber Moretti is a girl with issues. She’s a college freshman who is in need of a fresh start. At the beginning of her new life, she meets Brock and Ryder. Two best friends that are different from one another, but she’s equally drawn to. Brock quickly becomes Amber’s boyfriend. She does love him, for the first time in her life, she learns what it means to love and be loved by a man. But then there is Ryder. She and Ryder shared an instant connection when they met. There is something about this bad boy with the best heart that gets to Amber. When you see Ryder with his little sister and his mom, you will melt. You won’t be able to help yourself. Amber can’t deny she has feelings for him as well. Then it happens. One night between the three of them changes everything…
This story was written from the p.o.v. of all three characters. It was nice to get into all their heads and see where they were at. This isn’t just a love triangle/romance story. There is also some suspense and a side bit about Brock and Ryder’s job and some trouble they get into. The last half gets very exciting with all the action and the intense steamy scenes. I am really nervous that the next book will take a while to come out, but I gotta know whats gonna happen next so of course I will be reading. The first half of the book was a 3-3.5 star read for me, but the last half was closer to a 4.5 with some 5 star moments so I’m rounding to a 4. And for the record, I’m 100% #TeamRyder.
“I fell for the two loves of my life when I was nineteen. Yes, two. Plural. More than one. Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable.”Amber to Ashes is an angsty love triangle that’s emotional, a little on the dark side and beautifully written. Though there were times the writing felt a bit much, and times in the first half that seemed a bit slow, it really picked up in the last half and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. I fell in love with Gail’s writing when I read Collide. This is very different than her Collide/Pulse series. One thing is for certain though- she can write fantastic heroes. At first, I didn’t think she could top her popular and wonderful Gavin Blake, but I think I liked Ryder Ashcroft just as much as Mr. Blake.
Amber Moretti is a girl with issues. She’s a college freshman who is in need of a fresh start. At the beginning of her new life, she meets Brock and Ryder. Two best friends that are different from one another, but she’s equally drawn to. Brock quickly becomes Amber’s boyfriend. She does love him, for the first time in her life, she learns what it means to love and be loved by a man. But then there is Ryder. She and Ryder shared an instant connection when they met. There is something about this bad boy with the best heart that gets to Amber. When you see Ryder with his little sister and his mom, you will melt. You won’t be able to help yourself. Amber can’t deny she has feelings for him as well. Then it happens. One night between the three of them changes everything…
This story was written from the p.o.v. of all three characters. It was nice to get into all their heads and see where they were at. This isn’t just a love triangle/romance story. There is also some suspense and a side bit about Brock and Ryder’s job and some trouble they get into. The last half gets very exciting with all the action and the intense steamy scenes. I am really nervous that the next book will take a while to come out, but I gotta know whats gonna happen next so of course I will be reading. The first half of the book was a 3-3.5 star read for me, but the last half was closer to a 4.5 with some 5 star moments so I’m rounding to a 4. And for the record, I’m 100% #TeamRyder.
June 3, 2015
What can I say?!
What the hell can I freaking say that will do this book justice?!
Nothing. There's nothing. Amber to Ashes is an experience. It's deeply emotional, turbulent, and will throw you in the trenches, toss you around, and spit you back out. The characters are broken, shattered, all searching for something to heal them and somehow through the fire that is life they find each other.
It's magical.
It's intense.
It's steamy.
It's riveting.
It's all consuming.
It's pure brilliant bookish maddness.
Gail McHugh can write. Her words are poetry, an emotional song written from the soul. You feel her lines. I swear, I read her words and I can sense them as they seep under my skin and scream at me. She's got a talent that astounds me. I can never get enough. I want to read her everyday, all day. I just love it. I love the flow, the flowery almost melodic pace of her sentences. It's pure word porn, IMO.
This story...
God. God. God.
It's going to gut you open.
It's going to turn you on.
It going to make you cry.
It will have you mad as hell.
It will make you smile and swoon.
The EMOTION is off the charts. The feels almost seem tangible, as if you can literally reach out and touch the anger, the hurt, and the sizzle.
It's explosive.
Amber is a broken woman. She's not easy to love, but I think every girl can relate to her in some way. We all have struggles, some tougher than others and we all use something as a crutch to get us through. For Amber, it's sex. For me, it's food. We ALL have something. And God, even if you can't find a similarity through her pain, she manages to weasels her way through your veins anyway. I just LOVE her.
Brock and Ryder are both such different characters. I want to get into all that, but I'm afraid I'll spoil it. I'll tell you I have a favorite and when I think of him my heart just pumps with pure adrenaline. He's dreamy, flawed, but a gentle soul. Both boys are equally sexy. They're alpha, and all the things we love about our men. They're nothing like Gavin Blake. So ready yourself for something completely different yet unbelievably magnificent.
The story is dark. It's twisty. It will have you on the edge of your seat. It's gonna take ahold of your heart and squeeze the living fuck out of it.
You'll fall in love.
You'll fall deep.
And you'll be left DYING for more.
It is a cliffy, but don't let that scare you! You'll be okay! This author is guaranteed to make you whole at the end of this journey. Just dive in, soak in the tsunami of feels that are headed your way. Because OH MY GOD are you going to explode with lust, love, pain and swoon!
I have two words to describe this novel: AN EXPERIENCE.
And isn't that why we read?!
Those are the type of books we feel to the bone and remain unforgettable.
Amber to Ashes is an UNFORGETTABLE ride.
What the hell can I freaking say that will do this book justice?!
Nothing. There's nothing. Amber to Ashes is an experience. It's deeply emotional, turbulent, and will throw you in the trenches, toss you around, and spit you back out. The characters are broken, shattered, all searching for something to heal them and somehow through the fire that is life they find each other.
It's magical.
It's intense.
It's steamy.
It's riveting.
It's all consuming.
It's pure brilliant bookish maddness.
Gail McHugh can write. Her words are poetry, an emotional song written from the soul. You feel her lines. I swear, I read her words and I can sense them as they seep under my skin and scream at me. She's got a talent that astounds me. I can never get enough. I want to read her everyday, all day. I just love it. I love the flow, the flowery almost melodic pace of her sentences. It's pure word porn, IMO.
This story...
God. God. God.
It's going to gut you open.
It's going to turn you on.
It going to make you cry.
It will have you mad as hell.
It will make you smile and swoon.
The EMOTION is off the charts. The feels almost seem tangible, as if you can literally reach out and touch the anger, the hurt, and the sizzle.
It's explosive.
Amber is a broken woman. She's not easy to love, but I think every girl can relate to her in some way. We all have struggles, some tougher than others and we all use something as a crutch to get us through. For Amber, it's sex. For me, it's food. We ALL have something. And God, even if you can't find a similarity through her pain, she manages to weasels her way through your veins anyway. I just LOVE her.
Brock and Ryder are both such different characters. I want to get into all that, but I'm afraid I'll spoil it. I'll tell you I have a favorite and when I think of him my heart just pumps with pure adrenaline. He's dreamy, flawed, but a gentle soul. Both boys are equally sexy. They're alpha, and all the things we love about our men. They're nothing like Gavin Blake. So ready yourself for something completely different yet unbelievably magnificent.
The story is dark. It's twisty. It will have you on the edge of your seat. It's gonna take ahold of your heart and squeeze the living fuck out of it.
You'll fall in love.
You'll fall deep.
And you'll be left DYING for more.
It is a cliffy, but don't let that scare you! You'll be okay! This author is guaranteed to make you whole at the end of this journey. Just dive in, soak in the tsunami of feels that are headed your way. Because OH MY GOD are you going to explode with lust, love, pain and swoon!
I have two words to describe this novel: AN EXPERIENCE.
And isn't that why we read?!
Those are the type of books we feel to the bone and remain unforgettable.
Amber to Ashes is an UNFORGETTABLE ride.
May 25, 2017
Kill me now. Please?
DNF at 65%. I'm sorry, but I couldn't read further; my brain has revolted.
July 29, 2016
The thing in this book that bothered me the least was the bloody love triangle.
Now you're wondering, what could have possibly gone wrong.. Let me tell you.
The book opens with a mean main narrator, Amber.
On the second page of this novel she meets Ryder.
She immediately starts to gush about his appearance and how attractive he is, how blue his eyes are, etc. etc.
Maybe I'm in the minority of this, but I don't care if a guy has a six-pack or an eight-pack.
I just don't.
I am not interested in reading pages about his deadly smirk or flexible abs.
I want to get to know them personally and I can fill in the blanks myself. That's called imagination.
So the main narrator and Ryder immediately fall in lust.. er love and I'm wondering if I'm supposed to still care for this story.
To make matters worst: a few pages later - we're not even 5 % into this book - when she meets his best friend, Brock, and then she starts to gush about his handsomeness as well!
What we get after that is a messy love-triangle that doesn't even make sense.
Amber falls in love with these guys and they love her back, so much!
And now you're maybe wondering what's wrong with that.
Let me explain with some quotes.
"I hope that I become everything you need in your life."
This sappy quote is from Brock and it could have been romantic if it wasn't the second time she meets the guy!
THE SECOND TIME!
"I may not be in her every waking thought the way she is in mine, but right now, Amber's giving me something greater than that. She's allowing me to enter her empty heart." HAHA!
This 'heartbreaking' quote is from the 'bad boy' Ryder the third time they meet each other.
THE THIRD TIME!
I mean, this isn't even romantic anymore. This is creepy.
If a guy whom I barely know, tells me that I'm in his every waking thought, I'd run for the hills.
So obviously Amber falls in love with the hot looks of both of these guys and you have the most ridiculous love-triangle I've ever read.
I have nothing against love-triangles, personally. One of my favorite books was Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens.
The relationship between the main narrator and the guy she cheats with was built up very slowly and realistically.
I understood her, even though I didn't agree with everything she did.
Amber to Ashes is all about Amber falling in lust with two guys and she can't chose between them while barely knowing them.
Some other issue I had with this book was the writing style.
I love, love, love poetry. I love the way you can play with words and create magic with it.
But the way this book was written was just all over the place. Too descriptive.
An example:
"Regret: the universe's way of keeping each of us a slave to its brutality. Holding our hand in its poisonous grip, regret's toxicity is the last visitor remaining by our side as we lie on our deathbeds."
Seriously?!
I never connected with the main characters. Amber was mean. Constantly lashing out at people and expecting them to be okay with that. On top of that, she is a racist, she has prejudices about people she doesn't know and of course she doesn't see her own mistakes.
There happened something in this book that made me almost DNF it.
Something I have zero tolerance for is racism.
Then this happened:
Amber takes a cab and out of bloody nowhere she starts to hate on this driver. This is exactly what she says after she gives him the address:
"No questions askes, Bin Laden's ghostly doppelganger takes off, the vehicle slipping in and out of traffic like a centipede as we head toward Ryder's. I have to hand it to the Middle Eastern men. They might scare me a bit, but they sure as hell know how to navigate the busy streets of Baltimore."
This is what happens when he says to her that the drive is fifty and not twenty dollars.
"And to think I was gonna slip the undercover terrorist an extra twenty for his speediness.
Shame on me."
Am I supposed to care for this girl?
There are so many things wrong with this part in the book, that I can't even begin to sum them up.
She hasn't spoken one word with this cab driver, but still, she presumes he is a Middle Eastern guy and for that reason alone a terrorist.
Does she know the guy personally? Did he give her any indication that he is a danger to her?
Do all the Middle Eastern guys look alike?
At this point in the story I was totally done with it and the ending didn't surprise me.
Of course, there is a sequel and I'm not enough of a masochist to ever read that.
June 12, 2015
Amber Moretti is damaged girl, but more importantly she is a survivor. In my opinion, this girl is a rockstar. Herself awareness had me awe, she is the girl I wish I had been in my twenties. She is your typical girl, insecure at times, but she refuses to show weakness to her enemies. She was witty, lovable and honest. She didn’t set unrealistic expectations or play games, she was the perfect heroine.
They were a storm I never saw coming, an unforeseen heartbreak on the edge of a dangerous cliff.
Amber first meets Ryder Ashcroft when she trips and falls into his lap, loved this scene. He is egotistical, self-centered and hot as hell. He is the jerk I love to read about and holy smokes, this guy, I am in serious love. Ryder doesn’t make an apologies for who he is, but when he meets Amber there is just something about her. He sees his match. He sees past her facade to the damaged girl beneath.
Where Ryder is the jerk, Brock Cunningham is guy next door. He is captain of the football team, wealthy, and an all around great guy. He is charming, engaging and endearing. When Amber meets Brock she is immediately attracted to the security he can provide, he is safe. She trusts that he wants more than one night and wants to finally open her heart up.
What she never planned for, is falling for Ryder and Brock. Two best friends, one girl, and so many outside forces threatening their happily ever after.
I had no clue what this story was about when I started it. I love Gail McHugh so I was “in" regardless. However, holy freaking hell! At first, I was under the impression this was your typical love triangle. It was a little slow in the beginning, but once the story started unfolding I was hooked. I basically read this entire story in one day. As the story began moving I couldn’t put it down, I never expected things to play out this way.
The more I got to know the characters, the more I feel in love! Then the plot began to play out and I was in shock. My anxiety was at an all time high and I had no clue what would happen next. There are so many levels to this story, unfortunately I can’t go into all of them without revealing spoilers. So I will just say, this story has mystery, suspense, angst, TONS of heart, and is hot as hell. Seriously, so freaking hot!
Lastly, it is beautifully written, I could have highlighted the entire book. Gail tells this unique story with such heart and soul that I was completely enthralled in the story. My heart broke for the characters and I was seriously torn. Let me rephrase, I am still torn I have no clue how this story will end, but I am 100% in! I highly recommend this read!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2016
ARC provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
Gail McHugh is one of those rare authors who can immediately spellbind you with her literary writing and story-telling. And Amber to Ashes is one of those books that grips you. It is the kind of story that guts you, compels you, and has you feeling torn. In all honesty, this book is one of those can shatter your heart to pieces but leaves you wanting more.
If you are not a fan of love triangles and cheating, then this book is not for you. But if you can overlook that and take a chance on this story, then this is one of those reads whose story line has tons of raw emotions, heart, mystery and suspense. I really went into reading this book not knowing what to expect but knew that I had to read Amber to Ashes because it was written by Gail McHugh.
In all honesty, Amber to Ashes is a book that cannot be reviewed or summed up. It is one of those reads that you have to experience because this story is so much more than a love triangle. It is about exposing the real nature of LOVE and how complicated it is to define. LOVE is about knowing and feeling from the depths of your soul, that you need that person in order to breathe, survive, and depend on. But what happens when your heart is torn and you fall in love with two men, who happens to be best friends? So is it true when they say love can be selfish?
So yes after reading this book, I am utterly torn between the two men that is after Amber's heart and love. I know that there are TEAM BROCK and TEAM RYDER but in all honesty whatever Amber's decision may be, a big part of me will be sad. Sad for the one man who wasn't enough to have all of her heart.
Once again, Ms. McHugh knows how to play with those heart strings. If you have read her previous books, then you know she has perfected in tugging those emotional heartstrings. Amber to Ashes was a well-written book that had emotions seeping out from every chapter and had me highlighting like crazy with all these beautiful and heartwarming quotes I found throughout the book. So if you are looking for a book that will utterly leave you feeling raw, vulnerable and exposed while tugging those emotional heartstrings, then I would recommend you to read Amber to Ashes.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Gail McHugh
Gail McHugh is one of those rare authors who can immediately spellbind you with her literary writing and story-telling. And Amber to Ashes is one of those books that grips you. It is the kind of story that guts you, compels you, and has you feeling torn. In all honesty, this book is one of those can shatter your heart to pieces but leaves you wanting more.
If you are not a fan of love triangles and cheating, then this book is not for you. But if you can overlook that and take a chance on this story, then this is one of those reads whose story line has tons of raw emotions, heart, mystery and suspense. I really went into reading this book not knowing what to expect but knew that I had to read Amber to Ashes because it was written by Gail McHugh.
In all honesty, Amber to Ashes is a book that cannot be reviewed or summed up. It is one of those reads that you have to experience because this story is so much more than a love triangle. It is about exposing the real nature of LOVE and how complicated it is to define. LOVE is about knowing and feeling from the depths of your soul, that you need that person in order to breathe, survive, and depend on. But what happens when your heart is torn and you fall in love with two men, who happens to be best friends? So is it true when they say love can be selfish?
So yes after reading this book, I am utterly torn between the two men that is after Amber's heart and love. I know that there are TEAM BROCK and TEAM RYDER but in all honesty whatever Amber's decision may be, a big part of me will be sad. Sad for the one man who wasn't enough to have all of her heart.
Once again, Ms. McHugh knows how to play with those heart strings. If you have read her previous books, then you know she has perfected in tugging those emotional heartstrings. Amber to Ashes was a well-written book that had emotions seeping out from every chapter and had me highlighting like crazy with all these beautiful and heartwarming quotes I found throughout the book. So if you are looking for a book that will utterly leave you feeling raw, vulnerable and exposed while tugging those emotional heartstrings, then I would recommend you to read Amber to Ashes.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Gail McHugh
June 10, 2015
I literally have no words? No words. I'm speechless. It's best for everyone if I DONT rant about this because if I do I won't stop!
All I know is this was wayyyyyy too wordy. The dialogue was unrealistic beyond belief. Brock and Ryder yes I did like them but other than them being sexy there was no great appeal! They are so arrogant beyond belief and no it was not sexy!
And Amber why anyone would fight over her is beyond belief. I did NOT like her one bit. Sorry. No.
So disappointed because I loveddddd Pulse and Collide so so so so much.
I think the dark side to the guys, Brock especially is probably the only exciting thing about this book. And some of the sex was hot I can't lie. But I just didn't get why they were super obsessed with Amber. Ugh super annoyed with this book doesn't describe how I feel.
I literally don't get where all these 5 star ratings are coming from!!!! I never give bad reviews on books as well. I can always find a positive but with this I truly can't.
I guess I did rant lol.
All I know is this was wayyyyyy too wordy. The dialogue was unrealistic beyond belief. Brock and Ryder yes I did like them but other than them being sexy there was no great appeal! They are so arrogant beyond belief and no it was not sexy!
And Amber why anyone would fight over her is beyond belief. I did NOT like her one bit. Sorry. No.
So disappointed because I loveddddd Pulse and Collide so so so so much.
I think the dark side to the guys, Brock especially is probably the only exciting thing about this book. And some of the sex was hot I can't lie. But I just didn't get why they were super obsessed with Amber. Ugh super annoyed with this book doesn't describe how I feel.
I literally don't get where all these 5 star ratings are coming from!!!! I never give bad reviews on books as well. I can always find a positive but with this I truly can't.
I guess I did rant lol.
October 16, 2023
4.5 stars.
What the F did I just read??? No, seriously. What the F did I just read?!
Gonna say right here and now if you don't like love triangles don't go near this book... don't even touch it with a ten foot pole. Because Amber to Ashes is the love triangle of all love triangle books! A2A is like Beautiful Disaster meets... Ugh what's that weird movie with Aaron Johnson in it??? (insert me looking for it on IMDB here)... Oh yeah Savages meets Clipped Wings. This had my mind and feels all over the place.
A2A is told from 3 POVS. First being Amber's the "sassy spit-fire" whose managed to steal both out leads hearts. How she did it exactly is beyond me. She was a leading lady that took me most the book too warm up to. She manages to be both like-able and hate-able all at the same time. Then there Ryder Ashcroft. Ryder Ashcroft... seriously even his name sounds like sex. He's the dark-mysterious-cocky-a hole-with a deep core. So clearly he is the one I'm gonna fall for right away?! Last we have Brock... Sadly every time I hear the name Brock all I can think of is the guy from She's All That who does that random dance scenes...
Yeah that guy. So that caused a few minor issues. Brock is the preppy boy-with the good guy persona-that makes all the girl's panties drop. Not mine but apparently the rest of the female race. Both men are complete opposites. One gets to love Amber while the other has to swoon over her. Brock reminded me so much of Maddox from Beautiful Disaster (I hated Mad Dog Maddox), and Ryder reminded me of a "rough" version of Hayden from Clipped Wings (Hayden <333). With all that being said there was still something about all three characters that I felt were lacking in the personality department. Why everyone was falling all over them is a little beyond me. Guess there was just something I was always waiting too get out of them that I sadly never did. Can't exactly point out what though.
As far as A2A's plot goes it's stray cray. Starts off having you thinking it's gonna be all rainbows, melted knees, and sunshine, then WHAM! takes a turn into "WTF" territory (because again it's crazy)... Then goes further off roading into "what is happening", drives right off a cliff and into an ocean of bizzaro, and finishes off with something you know is coming. Not kidding when I say that either. This story heads right where you think it's going to. I think my biggest "issue" with A2A is that it's a book that has EVERYTHING... Which lead me to wonder how much is too much? Then again Gail kind of makes it work. Don't get me wrong this is a cluster of a book mess but pulls ahead with something so addictive. Though some of the terms used to describe some "intimate" moments could be a little out there, the plot still managed to sink its claws into me. I was hooked just a few pages in and had to know what was going to happen next. I spent most the book asking shouting...
I was in one of the worst reading slumps I've ever been in, but A2A brought me out of it. Sometimes I think all you can do to get yourself out of the depth of a slump so deep is to read something so ridiculous, so smutty, so out there that it pushes you back into reading... A2A is that kind of book. This isn't going to be a book that for everyone, heck it might not even be for 90% of people. And yeah it a book I would normally hate but for some out there reason just did it for me.
What the F did I just read??? No, seriously. What the F did I just read?!
Gonna say right here and now if you don't like love triangles don't go near this book... don't even touch it with a ten foot pole. Because Amber to Ashes is the love triangle of all love triangle books! A2A is like Beautiful Disaster meets... Ugh what's that weird movie with Aaron Johnson in it??? (insert me looking for it on IMDB here)... Oh yeah Savages meets Clipped Wings. This had my mind and feels all over the place.
A2A is told from 3 POVS. First being Amber's the "sassy spit-fire" whose managed to steal both out leads hearts. How she did it exactly is beyond me. She was a leading lady that took me most the book too warm up to. She manages to be both like-able and hate-able all at the same time. Then there Ryder Ashcroft. Ryder Ashcroft... seriously even his name sounds like sex. He's the dark-mysterious-cocky-a hole-with a deep core. So clearly he is the one I'm gonna fall for right away?! Last we have Brock... Sadly every time I hear the name Brock all I can think of is the guy from She's All That who does that random dance scenes...
Yeah that guy. So that caused a few minor issues. Brock is the preppy boy-with the good guy persona-that makes all the girl's panties drop. Not mine but apparently the rest of the female race. Both men are complete opposites. One gets to love Amber while the other has to swoon over her. Brock reminded me so much of Maddox from Beautiful Disaster (I hated Mad Dog Maddox), and Ryder reminded me of a "rough" version of Hayden from Clipped Wings (Hayden <333). With all that being said there was still something about all three characters that I felt were lacking in the personality department. Why everyone was falling all over them is a little beyond me. Guess there was just something I was always waiting too get out of them that I sadly never did. Can't exactly point out what though.
As far as A2A's plot goes it's stray cray. Starts off having you thinking it's gonna be all rainbows, melted knees, and sunshine, then WHAM! takes a turn into "WTF" territory (because again it's crazy)... Then goes further off roading into "what is happening", drives right off a cliff and into an ocean of bizzaro, and finishes off with something you know is coming. Not kidding when I say that either. This story heads right where you think it's going to. I think my biggest "issue" with A2A is that it's a book that has EVERYTHING... Which lead me to wonder how much is too much? Then again Gail kind of makes it work. Don't get me wrong this is a cluster of a book mess but pulls ahead with something so addictive. Though some of the terms used to describe some "intimate" moments could be a little out there, the plot still managed to sink its claws into me. I was hooked just a few pages in and had to know what was going to happen next. I spent most the book asking shouting...
I was in one of the worst reading slumps I've ever been in, but A2A brought me out of it. Sometimes I think all you can do to get yourself out of the depth of a slump so deep is to read something so ridiculous, so smutty, so out there that it pushes you back into reading... A2A is that kind of book. This isn't going to be a book that for everyone, heck it might not even be for 90% of people. And yeah it a book I would normally hate but for some out there reason just did it for me.
June 10, 2015
2.5 'Dark and dirty but overly poetic and it's all too much' stars
This is a deeply emotional, highly angsty story with extremely dark undertones featuring a love triangle between three broken characters. Dark and gritty, just the way I like them!!!
However, I really struggled with this book. It was my first book by Gail McHugh, and I went in with no expectations, and no idea about the author’s writing style, and I strongly think this is a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’. Sometimes you just don’t click with an author’s writing, and that’s what happened to me with this one. But more about that later, first, about the story.
Amber is starting her Freshman year at College. She has lived a very hard life and is still tormented by the events of her past. She is broken, pretty much alone and uses sex to numb the pain that constantly weighs her down, putting up walls to keep people from getting too close. But everything changes for her when on her first day of College she meets two boys that will alter her life – arrogant bad boy, Ryder, and rich and gorgeous campus god, Brock.
Ryder immediately puts her offside with his presumptuous, dick-ish behaviour, although when he kisses her (against her will), the sparks between them are unlike anything she’s ever experienced before – even though she is turned off by his smug, overly sexual arrogance.
It is Ryder’s best friend Brock that comes to her rescue, checking to make sure that she is ok, and then making it very clear that he is interested in her. He has his own demons that he is dealing with and she finds herself drawn to him and amidst much teasing, flirting and innuendo, things between them develop quickly.
It’s hot and heavy from the very beginning, and the sex scenes are off the charts steamy and dirty. But there is genuine emotion between them, and their romance is really beautiful.
But Ryder is still a part of the picture. He and Amber run into each other frequently, and the more time they spend together, the more she gets to see a different side to him – one that is sweet, funny, and gentle. And he slowly lets her into his world where he, too, is dealing with issues that impact his life in a big way.
The story is told primarily in Amber’s POV, but there are chapters from both of the boys so we get to watch the deepening drama from each of their perspectives as the love triangle develops. More than just lust and physical attraction, this is a triangle that is intense and passionate, a connection that none of them are able to deny.
The tension builds until the love triangle reaches crisis point when the three of them share one passionately intense night together (holy hotness!), and the connection is them is explored in a way that it never has been before. Walls come down, inhibitions are stripped away and when emotion is revealed in a way it has never been before, it becomes a turning point, with nobody able to hold back their true feelings anymore.
And this is where things get REALLY angsty. The emotional bond between Amber and the two boys is intense and deep. She truly loves them both, and I can honestly say that I understand that. She has an amazing relationship with both of them, and they both represent something incredibly special. And with both boys fighting for the girl they love, I could absolutely empathise with Amber’s torment over the situation as she is torn between two men that she loves passionately and equally.
Love triangles seem to divide readers – there are those who love them and those who hate them. I’m not a huge fan of them when people are behaving stupidly, but I think this one was really well done. For those curious about whether there is cheating - Well, it’s a bit of a grey area and it depends on your definition of the word. .
Running alongside the romantic drama is a darker, seedier storyline. Both Brock and Ryder are involved in shady behaviour – both for their own reasons. Up until now they have been able to make it work for them, but things are about to blow up completely out of control and that particular plotline has some shocking twists that plunge everybody even deeper into their emotional torment, with possibly devastating consequences.
It’s a really good set up, with a great build up, and the different elements of the story are tied together well. But it was the writing that I struggled with. It was just too flowery and poetic with an excessive use of metaphors. For example…
And this…
And this…
Over and over and over again! A lot of it made me roll my eyes, other parts I zoned out and had to reread to figure out what the author was trying to say, and other times I just had to say WTF?
Seriously? WTF is that?
So as interesting as the story was, I really struggled with this book. I did consider DNFing but I was intrigued, and based on an ominous statement in the prologue I wanted to know was going to happen and how it was all going to play out. But then, just to further annoy me, there is no resolution in this book. The book ends on a nasty cliffhanger, with the love triangle resolution imminent but ultimately left hanging as all hell breaks loose. And as curious as I am to find out what happens, I’m not sure whether it will be enough to make me want to read the next book. I might just look for spoilers.
I can certainly appreciate the appeal of this book, and I think a lot of readers are going to love it. Sadly, it just wasn’t for me.
2.5 stars. It was just ok.
Advanced Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a deeply emotional, highly angsty story with extremely dark undertones featuring a love triangle between three broken characters. Dark and gritty, just the way I like them!!!
However, I really struggled with this book. It was my first book by Gail McHugh, and I went in with no expectations, and no idea about the author’s writing style, and I strongly think this is a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’. Sometimes you just don’t click with an author’s writing, and that’s what happened to me with this one. But more about that later, first, about the story.
Amber is starting her Freshman year at College. She has lived a very hard life and is still tormented by the events of her past. She is broken, pretty much alone and uses sex to numb the pain that constantly weighs her down, putting up walls to keep people from getting too close. But everything changes for her when on her first day of College she meets two boys that will alter her life – arrogant bad boy, Ryder, and rich and gorgeous campus god, Brock.
Ryder immediately puts her offside with his presumptuous, dick-ish behaviour, although when he kisses her (against her will), the sparks between them are unlike anything she’s ever experienced before – even though she is turned off by his smug, overly sexual arrogance.
“What’s happening between us is sexual tension at its finest. It’s good – healthier than a cold glass of milk. Just go with it.”
It is Ryder’s best friend Brock that comes to her rescue, checking to make sure that she is ok, and then making it very clear that he is interested in her. He has his own demons that he is dealing with and she finds herself drawn to him and amidst much teasing, flirting and innuendo, things between them develop quickly.
“You’re gonna be mine, do you hear me? No matter what I have to do, I want you to be my girl.” He kisses my noise, cheeks, and forehead. “I won’t take no for answer, and whether or not you want me to, I’m gonna find your pieces so I can put you back together.”
It’s hot and heavy from the very beginning, and the sex scenes are off the charts steamy and dirty. But there is genuine emotion between them, and their romance is really beautiful.
“If you wind up falling in love with me.” A grin softens his face as he dusts his lips against mine. “Let me correct that. When you fall in love with me.”
“’When’?” My question comes out breathlessly, my eyes nearly fluttering closed as he continues, brushing his lips along my jaw.
“Yeah, when,” he murmurs, curling his fingers into my hair. “Because even though you think you won’t, you will. I’ll make it impossible for you not to, but I have a feeling you’re gonna do the same fucking thing to me. So we’ll be even. Good?”
But Ryder is still a part of the picture. He and Amber run into each other frequently, and the more time they spend together, the more she gets to see a different side to him – one that is sweet, funny, and gentle. And he slowly lets her into his world where he, too, is dealing with issues that impact his life in a big way.
The story is told primarily in Amber’s POV, but there are chapters from both of the boys so we get to watch the deepening drama from each of their perspectives as the love triangle develops. More than just lust and physical attraction, this is a triangle that is intense and passionate, a connection that none of them are able to deny.
The tension builds until the love triangle reaches crisis point when the three of them share one passionately intense night together (holy hotness!), and the connection is them is explored in a way that it never has been before. Walls come down, inhibitions are stripped away and when emotion is revealed in a way it has never been before, it becomes a turning point, with nobody able to hold back their true feelings anymore.
And this is where things get REALLY angsty. The emotional bond between Amber and the two boys is intense and deep. She truly loves them both, and I can honestly say that I understand that. She has an amazing relationship with both of them, and they both represent something incredibly special. And with both boys fighting for the girl they love, I could absolutely empathise with Amber’s torment over the situation as she is torn between two men that she loves passionately and equally.
Here I am, my heart bleeding out for two different men, the organ split down the middle between who it truly belongs to and who it truly loves and needs in order to produce another beat.
Love triangles seem to divide readers – there are those who love them and those who hate them. I’m not a huge fan of them when people are behaving stupidly, but I think this one was really well done. For those curious about whether there is cheating - Well, it’s a bit of a grey area and it depends on your definition of the word. .
Running alongside the romantic drama is a darker, seedier storyline. Both Brock and Ryder are involved in shady behaviour – both for their own reasons. Up until now they have been able to make it work for them, but things are about to blow up completely out of control and that particular plotline has some shocking twists that plunge everybody even deeper into their emotional torment, with possibly devastating consequences.
It’s a really good set up, with a great build up, and the different elements of the story are tied together well. But it was the writing that I struggled with. It was just too flowery and poetic with an excessive use of metaphors. For example…
Regret: the universe’s way of keeping each of us a slave to its brutality. Holding our hand in its poisonous grip, regret’s toxicity is the last visitor remaining by our side as we lie on our deathbeds.
And this…
This beautiful, selfless, caring man’s exposing his opened wounds to me, setting his vulnerabilities on the operating table of my heart for me to repair.
And this…
My heart trips, skids, and crashes into a brick wall spray-painted with his and Brock’s anguish, my mental state bruised from the collision.
Over and over and over again! A lot of it made me roll my eyes, other parts I zoned out and had to reread to figure out what the author was trying to say, and other times I just had to say WTF?
…his teeth being perfectly white, their ghostly shimmer as straight as a stick figure’s dick…
Seriously? WTF is that?
So as interesting as the story was, I really struggled with this book. I did consider DNFing but I was intrigued, and based on an ominous statement in the prologue I wanted to know was going to happen and how it was all going to play out. But then, just to further annoy me, there is no resolution in this book. The book ends on a nasty cliffhanger, with the love triangle resolution imminent but ultimately left hanging as all hell breaks loose. And as curious as I am to find out what happens, I’m not sure whether it will be enough to make me want to read the next book. I might just look for spoilers.
I can certainly appreciate the appeal of this book, and I think a lot of readers are going to love it. Sadly, it just wasn’t for me.
2.5 stars. It was just ok.
Advanced Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2015
REVIEW TO COME
June 13, 2015
*** I DIDN'T LIKE IT***
Gail McHugh is evil. She did not write "Amber to Ashes" with the mindset that you would simply read it. Oh no! From the moment you sink your teeth into the first chapter you're slowly lowered into the concoction Ms. McHugh is prepared for your mind. You are fully immersed into the lives of her characters, Amber, Brock, and Ryder. You soak in their emotions, marinate in the rawness of their circumstances, and drown in their pain. No, I didn't like the book ~ I LOVED it!! This is not just a story, it's an experience, and I honestly believe it's Ms. McHugh's best work to date!!!❤️
D.D. Lorenzo, Author
The "Depth of Emotion" Series
Gail McHugh is evil. She did not write "Amber to Ashes" with the mindset that you would simply read it. Oh no! From the moment you sink your teeth into the first chapter you're slowly lowered into the concoction Ms. McHugh is prepared for your mind. You are fully immersed into the lives of her characters, Amber, Brock, and Ryder. You soak in their emotions, marinate in the rawness of their circumstances, and drown in their pain. No, I didn't like the book ~ I LOVED it!! This is not just a story, it's an experience, and I honestly believe it's Ms. McHugh's best work to date!!!❤️
D.D. Lorenzo, Author
The "Depth of Emotion" Series
June 25, 2015
It pains me to admit that I struggled to finish this book. I felt very detached from the characters the entire time. I didn't like Amber from the start, so I never felt invested in her journey. I remained wholly indifferent to Brock the entire time and while Ryder provided the only glimmer of a connection I felt with the story, even that was a marginal connection at best. I'm a stickler for believability, even in fiction, and everything from the plot to the dialogue felt over the top and outlandish. I didn't buy into the idea that star college athletes would get away with using and selling drugs regularly, not with the way athletes are monitored and regulated. I can typically get on board with a convoluted love triangle but the wishy-washy thought processes and behavior of everyone involved was annoying and unbelievable. The dialogue in this book lost me from the very beginning, it felt very inconsistent with drug using, sex-addled college students and I repeatedly kept saying to myself "people don't talk this way," "no one would say that," "who talks like that in the heat of the moment?" It was all just too much. I struggled with the flowery, metaphorical writing style in general. Overall, this was just not for me.
June 24, 2015
1.5 stars
The sad thing is – I was actually really excited to start this. Reviews promised poetic writing, different take on the love triangle theme, but instead all I got was the same old NA crap.
What particularly bothered me are the characters, they were caricatures, not resembling real people at all. I mean, come on, no one talks or behaves that way in real life. It was ridiculous!
This is what Ryder says of Amber: I’d rather die than fuck up this girl, this unique gem. It’s comic really.
I did like that threesome scene and that’s why this gets half a star more. LOL
I love romance as much as the next person, but I want it to be at least somewhat realistic you know. If you’re into 20-years olds acting all angsty, having the biggest life problems the author could think of, but having sexual experience of 30-year olds, then you might like this book.
For me, in two words, it was entirely unmemorable!
February 3, 2019
After reading Collide I went into this expecting a 5 star read.
Expectations are the worst.🤦🏻♀️
Here are my points:
1)The instalove was OTT, a bit too much. At 16% seeing her twice he makes her fall into his lap saying : "Maybe, just maybe, she'll let me be a small part of her future." WTH?!
2)The h was a 19 years old with mentality of a much older girl.
3)One of the guys is a son of the two most well-know defense attorney in the city but guess what? he deals drugs! because it makes he feels in control of his life.
I’m out.
Peace ✌🏻
this didn't work for me at all.
Expectations are the worst.🤦🏻♀️
Here are my points:
1)The instalove was OTT, a bit too much. At 16% seeing her twice he makes her fall into his lap saying : "Maybe, just maybe, she'll let me be a small part of her future." WTH?!
2)The h was a 19 years old with mentality of a much older girl.
3)One of the guys is a son of the two most well-know defense attorney in the city but guess what? he deals drugs! because it makes he feels in control of his life.
I’m out.
Peace ✌🏻
this didn't work for me at all.
April 18, 2015
REDUCED TO ASHES … that’s what I’ve been since finishing Gail McHugh’s epic novel, Amber to Ashes. Her words have seared across my heart and continue to burn deep in my gut. Everything Gail’s put into this novel, every last word and emotion that drained from her soul … left me raw, shocked, and utterly breathless.
I can’t stop thinking about Amber and how the events in her life have shaped who she is. I still ache for Brock and Ryder, whose own demons flared behind the moments that created the men that they had to become. Tangled in the story, my heart has been altered and my grasp on reality has been left in the pages and lives of these three people. A book hangover is not an encompassing enough definition to describe how this hauntingly beautiful tale left me.
In Gail like fashion, she beautifully and masterfully plucks these characters from her mind and with the natural brilliance most writers ache to possess, she weaves the characters’ lives into the soul of her readers. Written from three different POVs, Gail thrusts you deep into the experiences of each character and gives you the opportunity to live vicariously through their words and actions. She brings a fresh reality to fiction that is dynamic, frightening, daring, loving, delicate and may I even dare say, darkly romantic. Her ability to tell a story by leading us along her plot driven chapters and gorgeously written descriptives is just unbelievable. The tone of Amber to Ashes is truly unique to her other work, and I will even say, without question her best novel she’s penned so far.
To say she created magic amongst the pages of this book is an understatement. Ms. Gail McHugh has created something so much bigger than that, she has created, in me, a lifelong fan and reader of everything she writes. If you haven’t pre-ordered Amber To Ashes so you have it on June 9th, then I suggest you get on it. This book will be the topic of many discussions you won’t want to miss. I give Amber to Ashes---> 5 Big Os!
I can’t stop thinking about Amber and how the events in her life have shaped who she is. I still ache for Brock and Ryder, whose own demons flared behind the moments that created the men that they had to become. Tangled in the story, my heart has been altered and my grasp on reality has been left in the pages and lives of these three people. A book hangover is not an encompassing enough definition to describe how this hauntingly beautiful tale left me.
In Gail like fashion, she beautifully and masterfully plucks these characters from her mind and with the natural brilliance most writers ache to possess, she weaves the characters’ lives into the soul of her readers. Written from three different POVs, Gail thrusts you deep into the experiences of each character and gives you the opportunity to live vicariously through their words and actions. She brings a fresh reality to fiction that is dynamic, frightening, daring, loving, delicate and may I even dare say, darkly romantic. Her ability to tell a story by leading us along her plot driven chapters and gorgeously written descriptives is just unbelievable. The tone of Amber to Ashes is truly unique to her other work, and I will even say, without question her best novel she’s penned so far.
To say she created magic amongst the pages of this book is an understatement. Ms. Gail McHugh has created something so much bigger than that, she has created, in me, a lifelong fan and reader of everything she writes. If you haven’t pre-ordered Amber To Ashes so you have it on June 9th, then I suggest you get on it. This book will be the topic of many discussions you won’t want to miss. I give Amber to Ashes---> 5 Big Os!
June 27, 2015
“I need you a hundred times more than I need my next breath, a thousand times more than I need my next heartbeat, and a million times more than I need to wake up to the sun hanging in the sky.” TEAM RYDER!
I had high expectations from this book ... it was solid read but nothing more ... little boring ...
Hopefully the next book will be better ...
I had high expectations from this book ... it was solid read but nothing more ... little boring ...
Hopefully the next book will be better ...
May 16, 2015
I am at a complete loss right now.... GAHHHHHHHH!!!! Gail McHugh, what have you done to me?!?!? Amber to Ashes proves that it doesn't matter what Gail McHugh writes, it will be PHENOMENAL!!!! I can't wait for you to read this 5++ Star book!!!! *
How do you write a review for a book that still has you speechless, two weeks after you finished reading it??? Well… I’m going to try my best to articulate just how fabulous Gail McHugh’s new novel, Amber to Ashes is.
I’ve been a fan of Ms. McHugh from the beginning! Gavin Blake from Collide, and Pulse will always be one of my top book boyfriends…Bottle caps anyone! <3 Now, if you are thinking that Amber to Ashes will be anything like Collide… Think again! Amber to Ashes is like nothing like I expected it to be. Edgy and intriguing, and at times positively mind blowing!!!! I honestly think this is Gail McHugh’s best work yet!
The characters are fabulous and well-developed — I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Ms. McHugh — and I dare you not to fall in love with Amber, Brock and Ryder. But be warned, Ryder is ALL MINE!
This book will blow your mind; be it the brilliant storyline, the unforgettable characters, the Mind-Blowing sexy scenes *fans self thinking of one particularly wickedly thigh-clenching scene* or the “Oh My Effin’g Goodness, what did I just read??” thoughts that have constantly run through my head since finishing Amber to Ashes. This book is not to be missed!
*If you aren’t a fan of cliffhangers — which is something I personally will never understand — you won’t be happy as Amber to Ashes has one of the most brilliant cliffhangers I have ever read!!!!
I can’t put into words how much I loved Amber to Ashes, and can’t wait to read more when the story continues! This hot, sexy, edgy read is one I won’t soon forget… BRILLIANT!
**I was provided with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review**
How do you write a review for a book that still has you speechless, two weeks after you finished reading it??? Well… I’m going to try my best to articulate just how fabulous Gail McHugh’s new novel, Amber to Ashes is.
I’ve been a fan of Ms. McHugh from the beginning! Gavin Blake from Collide, and Pulse will always be one of my top book boyfriends…Bottle caps anyone! <3 Now, if you are thinking that Amber to Ashes will be anything like Collide… Think again! Amber to Ashes is like nothing like I expected it to be. Edgy and intriguing, and at times positively mind blowing!!!! I honestly think this is Gail McHugh’s best work yet!
The characters are fabulous and well-developed — I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Ms. McHugh — and I dare you not to fall in love with Amber, Brock and Ryder. But be warned, Ryder is ALL MINE!
This book will blow your mind; be it the brilliant storyline, the unforgettable characters, the Mind-Blowing sexy scenes *fans self thinking of one particularly wickedly thigh-clenching scene* or the “Oh My Effin’g Goodness, what did I just read??” thoughts that have constantly run through my head since finishing Amber to Ashes. This book is not to be missed!
*If you aren’t a fan of cliffhangers — which is something I personally will never understand — you won’t be happy as Amber to Ashes has one of the most brilliant cliffhangers I have ever read!!!!
I can’t put into words how much I loved Amber to Ashes, and can’t wait to read more when the story continues! This hot, sexy, edgy read is one I won’t soon forget… BRILLIANT!
**I was provided with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review**
June 9, 2015
I'm sorry to say, but I struggled with this book. I wanted to love it, but I just couldn't. I had such high hopes, but this fell flat for me.
The dialogue was my biggest hang up. The entire first 15% was rough to get through. It was unrealistic and way too over the top.
The relationships in here were reminiscent of another book I've read, so I found myself comparing the two. One girl who loves two guys.....You know how that's going to end...
There were some scenes that had me fanning my face, because they were quite hot. And then there were parts that had my heart racing with anxiety. But for the most I was unfeeling. I honestly didn't care which guy she she would choose in the end.
Between the boys and their illegal activities and her with her over the top emotions and feeling for both of them, I was not convinced that this would end well.
I was right.
I received an ARC for and honest review.
The dialogue was my biggest hang up. The entire first 15% was rough to get through. It was unrealistic and way too over the top.
The relationships in here were reminiscent of another book I've read, so I found myself comparing the two. One girl who loves two guys.....You know how that's going to end...
There were some scenes that had me fanning my face, because they were quite hot. And then there were parts that had my heart racing with anxiety. But for the most I was unfeeling. I honestly didn't care which guy she she would choose in the end.
Between the boys and their illegal activities and her with her over the top emotions and feeling for both of them, I was not convinced that this would end well.
I was right.
I received an ARC for and honest review.
February 28, 2017
Amber Moretti intenta empezar una nueva vida, dejar atrás el pasado. La vida universitaria se complica cuando conoce a dos chicos, el apuesto y adorable Brock Cunningham y el impertinente de Ryder Ashcroft por los cuales se sentirá atraída. Pero un suceso lo cambiará todo.
La verdad es que me esperaba otra cosa de esta novela, su sinopsis me atrajo aunque por ahí leí una distinta, no era la misma que en “Goodreads” quizá por eso metí la pata garrafalmente. Todavía estoy con la mosca detrás de la oreja.
Y es que esta novela no me ha gustado nada de nada, lo único de agradecer es que las escenas de sexo son pocas por lo demás todo son peros.
Tenemos a una protagonista que tiene un pasado de lo más traumático y como es lógico todo se reduce a que no puede tener una relación amorosa normal, pero que al final se enamora del conquistador de Brock y éste está coladito por ella desde el minuto uno y así empieza una historia de lo más histriónica. Tienen unos diálogos que me parecieron de lo más inverosímiles, poco creíbles y muy repetitivos, es más me parecieron poco creíbles puestos a hablar de ello. Y lo mismo ocurre con Rider…
A Amber no la podía pasar, no me gustó, por un lado te pasas por pobrecita y luego por otro te crees la reina del corral. Era una especie de doctor Jekyll y Mr. Hide. Y luego está su enamoramiento de los dos maromos y todo ese triángulo amoroso que no me hizo ni pizca de gracia. Y es que los dos maromos son más bien dos cavernícolas vestidos de traje y chaqueta y con supuesta inteligencia que caen rendidos de las “cualidades” de la joven y de ahí que se peleen con garrotes por su dulce corazón (mientras escribo esto me entran arcadas). Es lógico la chica tiene unas cualidades extraordinarias (nótese la ironía) difíciles de ignorar. Estos chicos son capaces de expresar conmovedoras odas al amor que sienten por Amber. No voy a comentar el tema de las drogas que aquí es de lo más normal… y pues tampoco estos triángulos y mucho menos el rollo psicológico adjunto.
En definitiva que me he pegado novecientas páginas (en digital, no sé cuántas serán en papel) de una historia de amor a tres bandas, con unos sujetos infumables y una historia que no hay por donde cogerla, con los típicos tópicos habidos y por haber. Y encima tiene una segunda parte…que Dios nos coja confesados.
La verdad es que me esperaba otra cosa de esta novela, su sinopsis me atrajo aunque por ahí leí una distinta, no era la misma que en “Goodreads” quizá por eso metí la pata garrafalmente. Todavía estoy con la mosca detrás de la oreja.
Y es que esta novela no me ha gustado nada de nada, lo único de agradecer es que las escenas de sexo son pocas por lo demás todo son peros.
Tenemos a una protagonista que tiene un pasado de lo más traumático y como es lógico todo se reduce a que no puede tener una relación amorosa normal, pero que al final se enamora del conquistador de Brock y éste está coladito por ella desde el minuto uno y así empieza una historia de lo más histriónica. Tienen unos diálogos que me parecieron de lo más inverosímiles, poco creíbles y muy repetitivos, es más me parecieron poco creíbles puestos a hablar de ello. Y lo mismo ocurre con Rider…
A Amber no la podía pasar, no me gustó, por un lado te pasas por pobrecita y luego por otro te crees la reina del corral. Era una especie de doctor Jekyll y Mr. Hide. Y luego está su enamoramiento de los dos maromos y todo ese triángulo amoroso que no me hizo ni pizca de gracia. Y es que los dos maromos son más bien dos cavernícolas vestidos de traje y chaqueta y con supuesta inteligencia que caen rendidos de las “cualidades” de la joven y de ahí que se peleen con garrotes por su dulce corazón (mientras escribo esto me entran arcadas). Es lógico la chica tiene unas cualidades extraordinarias (nótese la ironía) difíciles de ignorar. Estos chicos son capaces de expresar conmovedoras odas al amor que sienten por Amber. No voy a comentar el tema de las drogas que aquí es de lo más normal… y pues tampoco estos triángulos y mucho menos el rollo psicológico adjunto.
En definitiva que me he pegado novecientas páginas (en digital, no sé cuántas serán en papel) de una historia de amor a tres bandas, con unos sujetos infumables y una historia que no hay por donde cogerla, con los típicos tópicos habidos y por haber. Y encima tiene una segunda parte…que Dios nos coja confesados.
June 2, 2016
I had such high hopes for this book. I knew it would be nothing like Gavin Blake and I appreciate Gail's bold attempt to do something completely new but this book just did not work for me.
The analogies were extremely over-the-top and way too wordy, to the point where I would have to go back and read a sentence two or three times before I could even decipher what she was trying to say. I don't think it's good when you feel like the book should come with a decoder ring.
This is completely my theory, and maybe I'm totally off base, but I got the sense that Gail was trying entirely too hard to live up to Gavin. The only way I can describe this is that it almost felt like she took every 7th word and picked a new one from a thesaurus. It just made it too convoluted, disjointed, and too hard to follow.
I felt nothing for the characters whatsoever. That's not true, I actually quite disliked Amber and I just can't read a book where the main character could be killed off on the next page and I would feel absolutely nothing.
There's one phrase that Gail used that I could never come back from, it was just so over-the-top ridiculous.
I mean... what?!
I couldn't even continue the book so I will not be continuing the series but I hope to take another chance on Gail in the future.
The analogies were extremely over-the-top and way too wordy, to the point where I would have to go back and read a sentence two or three times before I could even decipher what she was trying to say. I don't think it's good when you feel like the book should come with a decoder ring.
This is completely my theory, and maybe I'm totally off base, but I got the sense that Gail was trying entirely too hard to live up to Gavin. The only way I can describe this is that it almost felt like she took every 7th word and picked a new one from a thesaurus. It just made it too convoluted, disjointed, and too hard to follow.
I felt nothing for the characters whatsoever. That's not true, I actually quite disliked Amber and I just can't read a book where the main character could be killed off on the next page and I would feel absolutely nothing.
There's one phrase that Gail used that I could never come back from, it was just so over-the-top ridiculous.
"…his teeth being perfectly white, their ghostly shimmer as straight as a stick figure’s dick…"
I mean... what?!
I couldn't even continue the book so I will not be continuing the series but I hope to take another chance on Gail in the future.
June 13, 2015
It pains me to say this one didn't work for me. I wanted to love it, it just fell short. I loved the premise of the book, but it was too wordy in my opinion and I didn't connect with the characters at all. I found myself skimming to see how it would all turn out.
October 27, 2015
DNF at 30%
I really loved Gail McHugh's Collide series. So it pains me to DNF this book.
Let me start off by saying that I don't mind love triangles. I actually really enjoy reading angsty, love triangles that twist my mind. But this story really did NOT work for me whatsoever. It also reminded me way too much of Taking Chances by Molly McAdams, and that book rubbed me the wrong way. I hated it, actually. Eek!
Amber was a hard character for me to like right from the beginning. She's written as a severely broken character but, to me, she came across as whiny, immature and needy. And her personality fell flat. Which made it hard for me to understand why both the heroes - who are described as super sexy, arrogant, ladies men - would trip over themselves to be with her. SMH.
My other problem was the writing style. There is a such thing as too many metaphors. I don't remember the Collide series being so overly descriptive and wordy; maybe it was easier to overlook because I enjoyed the story so much more.
August 2, 2016
I think I just actually fell I love with a book.
*WARNING - TRIANGLE - LUURRVVEE TRIANGLE*
We are going to get married and have little book babies together and pollute the world with the offspring of this mind fu@k of a book.
Be still my beating heart, I have 2 new book boyfriends and I think they are going to take some beating ♡♡♡♡
What can I say about this book but WOW
It was a bumpy ride for 80% of the time, the other 20% well that was just HOT!
We have Amber who has had a fu*ked up life, she has been moved from foster home to foster home, she is finally with parents who she loves.
New home = new school, this is where we first meet Ryder when she literally bumps into him, after that we then meet Brock who again she is very drawn to and happens to be Ryders best friend.
With lots of sexual tension between the 3 of them this story moves into the fast lane, and then takes over every car on the road!
With the mother of all cliffhangers I can't wait to read the next book!
*WARNING - TRIANGLE - LUURRVVEE TRIANGLE*
We are going to get married and have little book babies together and pollute the world with the offspring of this mind fu@k of a book.
Be still my beating heart, I have 2 new book boyfriends and I think they are going to take some beating ♡♡♡♡
What can I say about this book but WOW
It was a bumpy ride for 80% of the time, the other 20% well that was just HOT!
We have Amber who has had a fu*ked up life, she has been moved from foster home to foster home, she is finally with parents who she loves.
New home = new school, this is where we first meet Ryder when she literally bumps into him, after that we then meet Brock who again she is very drawn to and happens to be Ryders best friend.
With lots of sexual tension between the 3 of them this story moves into the fast lane, and then takes over every car on the road!
With the mother of all cliffhangers I can't wait to read the next book!
Want to read
October 18, 2013Can't wait!! Loved Collide and Pulse. Think I read them 3 times each. Lol
June 15, 2015
Once I got into this book, I was rewarded with a dramatic, VERY sexy story with a fabulous story and memorable characters. There is a little bit of a Colleen Hoover and Jamie McGuire vibe about this book, but it is also very adult on many levels, despite the college setting.
Amber, Brock and Ryder are all very complex characters and their histories makes it easy to understand and empathize with them as they plunge headlong into a steamy and passionate relationship. Amber especially has suffered terribly, but has pulled her life together (somewhat) by attending college in Maryland.
"... (T)heir safety net came too late, unable to save me from my ancient habits. I continue to disconnect, self-destructing one man at a time, using sex as a brain detox. Sex is and will always be where I find control, a hidden shelter keeping me benign from the cancer that will forever disease the dark, frayed edges of my thoughts. Starting at the age of fourteen, I’ve abused, loved, craved, and hated sex in ways most people can’t fathom. It’d rock their skulls. I’ve given it away without feeling a morsel of anything for the person on the receiving end and, many times, accepted it from those I knew couldn’t stomach me."
Amber is deeply attracted to both Brock and Ryder but Gail McHugh makes it very understandable how their feelings develop, even though Brock and Ryder are best friends:
"Despite my friendship with Brock, Amber’s worth a few rounds in the moral boxing ring."
The plot was unexpectedly thrilling, and there was a rawness to this book that I did not expect. The characters were also unexpectedly sympathetic. I had a few minor drawbacks with the story but overall, I felt that Amber to Ashes was a very fresh and surprisingly sexy story that left me wanting more from this author!
"Attraction. Lust. All a lethal but beautiful cocktail that’s about to combust, exploding each of us into a state of numbness, a state of healing through what we need. Each other . . ."
(ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Amber, Brock and Ryder are all very complex characters and their histories makes it easy to understand and empathize with them as they plunge headlong into a steamy and passionate relationship. Amber especially has suffered terribly, but has pulled her life together (somewhat) by attending college in Maryland.
"... (T)heir safety net came too late, unable to save me from my ancient habits. I continue to disconnect, self-destructing one man at a time, using sex as a brain detox. Sex is and will always be where I find control, a hidden shelter keeping me benign from the cancer that will forever disease the dark, frayed edges of my thoughts. Starting at the age of fourteen, I’ve abused, loved, craved, and hated sex in ways most people can’t fathom. It’d rock their skulls. I’ve given it away without feeling a morsel of anything for the person on the receiving end and, many times, accepted it from those I knew couldn’t stomach me."
Amber is deeply attracted to both Brock and Ryder but Gail McHugh makes it very understandable how their feelings develop, even though Brock and Ryder are best friends:
"Despite my friendship with Brock, Amber’s worth a few rounds in the moral boxing ring."
The plot was unexpectedly thrilling, and there was a rawness to this book that I did not expect. The characters were also unexpectedly sympathetic. I had a few minor drawbacks with the story but overall, I felt that Amber to Ashes was a very fresh and surprisingly sexy story that left me wanting more from this author!
"Attraction. Lust. All a lethal but beautiful cocktail that’s about to combust, exploding each of us into a state of numbness, a state of healing through what we need. Each other . . ."
(ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
May 31, 2015
Unfortunately this book didn't work for me. I had such high hopes as this is my first book to read by Gail.
The blurb sounded promising but many things just didn't work for me.
I don't mind love triangles. If anything, I love them because I love the angsty feeling they give me.
With this one, I didn't understand the guys feelings for her from so early on in the book. It was almost too obsessive.
Both guys were mysterious and had good qualities and though some of their actions were questionable, I did really like them a lot.
I was indifferent towards Amber quite honestly..I wanted to like her and sometimes I did and sometimes I didn't.
I did feel that many situations were too over the top, too wordy and descriptive..the intensity of each relationship was a little unbelievable and I just didn't feel as connected to the story as I would have liked to be.
I did skim to the end because I saw that it ended in a cliffhanger and wow what an ending...it definitely keeps the reader on their toes making you want to read the next one to find out what happens.
Oh and one other thing - Gail sure knows how to write hot! I really enjoyed those scenes ;)
Again this is my first time reading Gail and it could just be me. I do think that many people will like this book and I may be in the minority.
I so wish that it was a different outcome for me...I am interested though to read the next one to see how this all plays out
*ARC provided by publisher for an honest review*
The blurb sounded promising but many things just didn't work for me.
I don't mind love triangles. If anything, I love them because I love the angsty feeling they give me.
With this one, I didn't understand the guys feelings for her from so early on in the book. It was almost too obsessive.
Both guys were mysterious and had good qualities and though some of their actions were questionable, I did really like them a lot.
I was indifferent towards Amber quite honestly..I wanted to like her and sometimes I did and sometimes I didn't.
I did feel that many situations were too over the top, too wordy and descriptive..the intensity of each relationship was a little unbelievable and I just didn't feel as connected to the story as I would have liked to be.
I did skim to the end because I saw that it ended in a cliffhanger and wow what an ending...it definitely keeps the reader on their toes making you want to read the next one to find out what happens.
Oh and one other thing - Gail sure knows how to write hot! I really enjoyed those scenes ;)
Again this is my first time reading Gail and it could just be me. I do think that many people will like this book and I may be in the minority.
I so wish that it was a different outcome for me...I am interested though to read the next one to see how this all plays out
*ARC provided by publisher for an honest review*
February 13, 2017
2.5 stelline
RECENSIONE COMPLETA SUL BLOG: http://camminando-tra-le-pagine.blogs...
Il 2017 non è iniziato nel migliore dei modi dal punto di vista libresco, da gennaio ho già letto 12 libri e i romanzi con la sufficienza bella piena sono stati davvero pochi, e la cosa è davvero triste. Non so se il problema è mio – forse sto diventando una lettrice troppo pretenziosa – o se gli scaffali della nostre librerie si stanno riempiendo di libri spazzatura. Non lo so, fatto sta che non ho ancora trovato una lettura davvero soddisfacente.
Quando ho letto la trama di “Innamorata di uno sconosciuto” – primo capitolo della serie Torn Hearts – di Gail McHugh ero certa che sarebbe stato il romanzo giusto.
Le prime cinque stelline del 2017.
Perché avevo questa convinzione? Semplice, io adoro pazzamente le storie con dei triangoli amorosi, so bene che la maggior parte dei lettori le odiano, ma anche se non sopporto il tradimento nella vita di tutti i giorni sulla carta mi intriga. Adoro il dubbio della scelta che tormenta il protagonista che si trova al vertice del triangolo e trovo che aggiunga una bella dose si pepe alla storia.
Le storie che trattano di tradimenti mi fanno emozionare, non sono sempre emozioni positive quelle che provo, poiché spesso e volentieri provo una forte rabbia nei confronti del protagonista fedifrago che vorrei tanto schiaffeggiare o prendere a calci nelle occasioni peggiori, ma sono le storie di questo tipo che mi fanno attorcigliare lo stomaco su stesso, quelle che mi obbligano a fare le ore piccole incatenata al libro e che mi costringono a consumare casse su casse di maalox plus. Emozioni intense e forti che mi catapultano nella storia e me la fanno vivere fino in fondo. E tutto questo era quello che mi aspettavo dopo aver letto la trama di “Innamorata di uno sconosciuto”, ma in realtà quello che ho trovato tra queste pagine mi ha confusa e lasciata interdetta. Perché la prima metà storia non mi è piaciuta, era troppo lenta e prolissa tanto che avrei volentieri mollato la lettura, ma la seconda metà mi ha intrappolata tra le pagine della storia e mi ha trascinato in un mondo di immorale perversione.
Questo romanzo non era affatto quello che mi aspettavo, la sinossi mi ha tratta in inganno mi aspettavo di trovare una storia tutta cuori e fiori, mi aspettavo di trovare una love story in stile lei-lui e l’altro, ma quello che ho trovato tra queste pagine è stata una storia oscura, torbida e mal sana. Una storia che sicuramente non è adatta a lettori più sensibili.
La storia che ci narra la McHugh è la storia di Amber Moretti, Ryder Ashcroft e Brock Cunningham, ci presenta i tre personaggi narrandoci la storia attraverso il loro pov alternato.
Amber Moretti ha diciannove anni ed è appena arrivata al college, ma non è la solita brava ragazza che siamo soliti incontrare nei romance, ma tutto il contrario. Amber è una bad girl irrimediabilmente segnata da un passato traumatico che non è mai riuscita a dimenticare. Era solo una piccola bambina di otto anni quando i suoi genitori si sono tolti la vita davanti ai suoi occhi, da allora è cresciuta passando da una famiglia affidataria all’altra, in case fredde e senza calore. Dove nessun genitore l’ha mai fatta sentire ben voluta e amata. Per tutta la sua infanzia non ha mai provato un briciolo di calore umano. Calore che va a cercare disperatamente tra le braccia di ogni ragazzo che dimostra un minimo di interesse nei suoi confronti, ma Amber non ha mai voluto innamorarsi. Il suo cuore è inaridito dalle tragiche esperienza passate ed è totalmente incapace di dare e ricevere amore. Per lei il sesso è il solo e unico modo per sentire qualcosa. Una sorta di cura per anestetizzare il dolore causato dalla mancanza di affetto con cui è cresciuta.
Quando arriva al college, però, tutto è destinato a cambiare grazie a due ragazzi che si insinuano così profondamente sotto la sua pelle da non riuscire a resistere dall’innamorarsi di entrambi.
Ryder Ashcroft e Brock Cunningham rispettivamente il quarterback e il capitano della squadra di football della scuola, sono migliori amici ed entrambi sono sexy come il peccato.
Due ragazzi diversi sotto molteplici aspetti, diversi come il giorno e la notte, ma che condividono con la protagonista una buona dose di dolore e tormento.
Ryder è rude e misterioso. Il suo sguardo promette minacce, ma i suoi meravigliosi occhi blu nascondo un velo di tristezza e malinconia che toccano il cuore. Il suo fisico tornito e meravigliosamente muscoloso è coperto di inchiostro che gli solca le braccia in spesse linee colorate... CONTINUA SUL BLOG, CLICK QUI
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Il 2017 non è iniziato nel migliore dei modi dal punto di vista libresco, da gennaio ho già letto 12 libri e i romanzi con la sufficienza bella piena sono stati davvero pochi, e la cosa è davvero triste. Non so se il problema è mio – forse sto diventando una lettrice troppo pretenziosa – o se gli scaffali della nostre librerie si stanno riempiendo di libri spazzatura. Non lo so, fatto sta che non ho ancora trovato una lettura davvero soddisfacente.
Quando ho letto la trama di “Innamorata di uno sconosciuto” – primo capitolo della serie Torn Hearts – di Gail McHugh ero certa che sarebbe stato il romanzo giusto.
Le prime cinque stelline del 2017.
Perché avevo questa convinzione? Semplice, io adoro pazzamente le storie con dei triangoli amorosi, so bene che la maggior parte dei lettori le odiano, ma anche se non sopporto il tradimento nella vita di tutti i giorni sulla carta mi intriga. Adoro il dubbio della scelta che tormenta il protagonista che si trova al vertice del triangolo e trovo che aggiunga una bella dose si pepe alla storia.
Le storie che trattano di tradimenti mi fanno emozionare, non sono sempre emozioni positive quelle che provo, poiché spesso e volentieri provo una forte rabbia nei confronti del protagonista fedifrago che vorrei tanto schiaffeggiare o prendere a calci nelle occasioni peggiori, ma sono le storie di questo tipo che mi fanno attorcigliare lo stomaco su stesso, quelle che mi obbligano a fare le ore piccole incatenata al libro e che mi costringono a consumare casse su casse di maalox plus. Emozioni intense e forti che mi catapultano nella storia e me la fanno vivere fino in fondo. E tutto questo era quello che mi aspettavo dopo aver letto la trama di “Innamorata di uno sconosciuto”, ma in realtà quello che ho trovato tra queste pagine mi ha confusa e lasciata interdetta. Perché la prima metà storia non mi è piaciuta, era troppo lenta e prolissa tanto che avrei volentieri mollato la lettura, ma la seconda metà mi ha intrappolata tra le pagine della storia e mi ha trascinato in un mondo di immorale perversione.
Questo romanzo non era affatto quello che mi aspettavo, la sinossi mi ha tratta in inganno mi aspettavo di trovare una storia tutta cuori e fiori, mi aspettavo di trovare una love story in stile lei-lui e l’altro, ma quello che ho trovato tra queste pagine è stata una storia oscura, torbida e mal sana. Una storia che sicuramente non è adatta a lettori più sensibili.
La storia che ci narra la McHugh è la storia di Amber Moretti, Ryder Ashcroft e Brock Cunningham, ci presenta i tre personaggi narrandoci la storia attraverso il loro pov alternato.
Amber Moretti ha diciannove anni ed è appena arrivata al college, ma non è la solita brava ragazza che siamo soliti incontrare nei romance, ma tutto il contrario. Amber è una bad girl irrimediabilmente segnata da un passato traumatico che non è mai riuscita a dimenticare. Era solo una piccola bambina di otto anni quando i suoi genitori si sono tolti la vita davanti ai suoi occhi, da allora è cresciuta passando da una famiglia affidataria all’altra, in case fredde e senza calore. Dove nessun genitore l’ha mai fatta sentire ben voluta e amata. Per tutta la sua infanzia non ha mai provato un briciolo di calore umano. Calore che va a cercare disperatamente tra le braccia di ogni ragazzo che dimostra un minimo di interesse nei suoi confronti, ma Amber non ha mai voluto innamorarsi. Il suo cuore è inaridito dalle tragiche esperienza passate ed è totalmente incapace di dare e ricevere amore. Per lei il sesso è il solo e unico modo per sentire qualcosa. Una sorta di cura per anestetizzare il dolore causato dalla mancanza di affetto con cui è cresciuta.
È stato soltanto quando sono stata posata fra le braccia dei miei ultimi genitori affidatari, Cathy e Mark, che ho provato cosa significa sentirsi amati e desiderati. Sentirsi… umani.
Ma la loro rete di sicurezza è arrivata troppo tardi, e non è stata in grado di salvarmi dalle mie vecchie abitudini. Continuo a disconnettermi, autodistruggendomi con un uomo dopo l’altro, usando il sesso come disintossicazione cerebrale. Il sesso mi fa e mi farà sempre ritrovare il controllo, è un rifugio nascosto che mi tiene in salute, lontana dal cancro che ammorberà per tutta la vita i margini oscuri e sfilacciati dei miei pensieri. Dall’età di quattordici anni ho abusato, amato, bramato e odiato il sesso in modi che la maggior parte della gente non può nemmeno immaginare. Sconvolgerei le loro menti. L’ho regalato senza un minimo di sentimento alla persona che avevo di fronte e spesso l’ho accettato da chi sapevo non riusciva a sopportarmi.
Quando arriva al college, però, tutto è destinato a cambiare grazie a due ragazzi che si insinuano così profondamente sotto la sua pelle da non riuscire a resistere dall’innamorarsi di entrambi.
Ryder Ashcroft e Brock Cunningham rispettivamente il quarterback e il capitano della squadra di football della scuola, sono migliori amici ed entrambi sono sexy come il peccato.
Due ragazzi diversi sotto molteplici aspetti, diversi come il giorno e la notte, ma che condividono con la protagonista una buona dose di dolore e tormento.
Ryder è rude e misterioso. Il suo sguardo promette minacce, ma i suoi meravigliosi occhi blu nascondo un velo di tristezza e malinconia che toccano il cuore. Il suo fisico tornito e meravigliosamente muscoloso è coperto di inchiostro che gli solca le braccia in spesse linee colorate... CONTINUA SUL BLOG, CLICK QUI
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