Ashes to Ashes

by Riley Adaris

In Ashes to Ashes, Riley Adaris crafts a touching story that delves into the profound impact of loss and the unexpected avenues it can open. Protagonist Del Montgomery-Shaw has always faced life head-on, but when her wife passes away, she finds herself grappling with the complex aftermath. As she copes with the void left behind, a chance mishap during a drunken evening leads to a remarkable twist of fate. Knocking over the urn containing her wife's ashes sets off a chain reaction that brings a mysterious stranger into her life.This stranger becomes an unlikely companion in a whirlwind journey through both time and their town. As they navigate this uncharted territory together, they unearth hidden secrets and buried connections within their own histories. Through their shared experiences, they discover the true essence of chosen family — the bonds that extend beyond blood and legal ties. The narrative beautifully weaves the tapestry of their evolving relationship, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.Riley Adaris, a gifted wordsmith and poet, presents a debut story that captivates the heart and mind. With a keen understanding of human emotions, Adaris paints a vivid portrait of Del's journey towards healing and growth. **Ashes to Ashes** invites readers to ponder the meaning of love, the weight of grief, and the possibility of finding solace in unexpected places.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2023

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to preview this book before it was released. Riley's debut novel is absolutely stunning, easily my favorite book of the year. The writing and storytelling is spell binding and the characters were well developed and felt like family. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

[Abbie Lively · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story about the main character Del, surviving grief and having support from her true family - her friends. Great characters, making you feel connected and want to go to Jack & Mary’s Diner IRL. Excited to see what else Riley writes up.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story of found family.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes to Ashes is truly a heartwarming story about a woman named Del after the sudden passing of her wife, and an unexpected new acquaintance in her life, an elderly gentleman named Nelly. Del and Nelly then attempt to figure out where Nelly has come from, where he's going, and along the way they uncover other secrets and connections in their histories as they both try to figure out what the future holds. I loved the characters in the book - they felt realistic, especially the main character Del. The magical realism in the story gave it this sort of fantastic feel that I really enjoyed. For sure my best read of 2023 and really looking forward to seeing more of Riley's work!

[Heather Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written, touching story of surviving grief through love and family. The reader is drawn in right away and captivated by the mystery unfolding. Nelly was so endearing and Del's loss is palpable. You'll wish you could give them each a hug and have a cup of coffee with them, and a great reminder about what family is supposed to be and not always the one you're born into. Give this one a try. You won't be disappointed.

[Violet Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning debut novel. I was lucky enough to read it before it was published. A wonderful story on found family. Adaris places you right in the story and never lets you go. Her characters are well written. The plot is fantastic. I cannot wait to read more from Riley Adaris.

[Lani O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes to Ashes was a wild ride.

Del, a literature-loving bartender, accidently knocks over the ashes of her deceased wife. In a moment she should be mortified and grief-stricken, she's instead confused and astonished as she sees the naked form of an older man. The story follows their quest to find out who he is, why he's there, and what that has to do with her wive's ashes. Lots of twists and turns, unexpected connections, and secrets revealed, all kept me engaged until the end.

The writing style has a lot of flavor, spoken as if coming from the feisty mouth of Del. The characters are well developed, and the found family dynamic among them made me wish I really knew them.

Overall, I would recommend!