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Freeing Mallory
Mallory Stevens is no stranger to the police lights flashing through her living room window. With her husband presumed dead, she finds the chains of grief draped on her shoulders once again. With the advice from her boss on a loop in her mind, will she break free?
Do something you would never do.
Baxley, a member of the motorcycle club, the Royal Roosters, is taken by surprise at opening night when he sees her. Starting a new relationship, he hides the truth of his past until walks back into his life swinging.
He erases her sadness, and she makes his pain fade. Both question if life will grant them happiness or take it away.
Do something you would never do.
Baxley, a member of the motorcycle club, the Royal Roosters, is taken by surprise at opening night when he sees her. Starting a new relationship, he hides the truth of his past until walks back into his life swinging.
He erases her sadness, and she makes his pain fade. Both question if life will grant them happiness or take it away.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2023
29 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 25, 2024
Great storyline and executed well! The spice is also top notch🥵
December 13, 2023
I had the joy of ARC reading this book! She did absolutely amazing with setting up the back story. The tragedy that Mallory endured through her life leading up to her meeting Baxley was very rough. But meeting Baxley and finally able to be happy, to be with an amazing man. Whew 🥵 the spice was amazingly hot! But don’t think that’s it nope the is a twist that you may not be able to predict. Definitely recommend reading this book!!
December 14, 2023
ARC Review: I loved the ups and downs and the challenges they went through. The smut was perfect and I loved that she got a turn at taking control. Motorcycle romances are some of my favorite tropes and she pulled this one off. Dual POV is also a favorite of mine and I loved his pov the most.
July 16, 2025
Freeing Mallory
Bax baby, 🥵. I rode a roller coaster of emotions reading this book but loved every second of it. From the heart drops to the overwhelming joy of freedom and everything in between.
Bax baby, 🥵. I rode a roller coaster of emotions reading this book but loved every second of it. From the heart drops to the overwhelming joy of freedom and everything in between.
May 11, 2024
I gave this a 1 star simply for the concept. Just wasn't for me, though.
December 1, 2023
I was lucky enough to be able to get an ARC of this book and I have nothing but good things to say! But there are spoilers so you might wanna scroll on if you don't want to see them!
Mallory Stevens is a woman who has been through hell and back. She lost her parents at a very young age and was sent to live with her aunt Lana, who could've cared less about her. She married Atticus Stevens when she was older and only 6 years into their marriage he disappeared without a trace. Mallory spent the next year and a half mourning the presumed loss of her husband, until one day she decided to take her newest client up on his offer to visit his club.
While sitting at the bar at the Royal Rooster, her clients motorcycle-club bar, she met the handsome Baxley. He was equally as smitten with her from the start, and the two of them started seeing each other. Baxley came from a rough childhood and had his own demons and scars to prove it. That first night at the bar, the two spent hours talking, well mainly Mallory talking, about her missing husband and wanting to be able to move on.
Not long after the two started dating, Mallory began a bit of a spiral where she ghosted Bax for about a week, while trying to pack up what she had left of her life with Atti. Mallory ended this by coming to the bar to profess her feelings to Bax, who at the time was dealing with his abusive father. During a scuffle between the two men, Mallory was knocked into the bar and hit her head, prompting her to become unconscious and be sent to the hospital. After her release, Baxley stayed with her to assure she was following doctors orders, and while there he was able to get a better glimpse into her and Atti's past.
Not long after Mallory began to recover, the two were walking outside and Atticus, the presumed-dead husband, was standing in front of them. Upon seeing him, Mallory fainted, again being sent to the hospital with both men in tow. Since Atticus was still legally her husband, he was let back into the exam room with Mallory, leaving Baxley sitting alone in the waiting room. Baxley decided to leave to give the two of them the chance to work things out, trying to be the bigger person despite his love for her. Atticus and Mallory tried to make it work for about a month, falling back into old habits and leaving Mallory grasping between her love for Baxley and her duty to her husband. Luckily, or unluckily, this problem was short lived, as a knock at the door revealed a very pregnant young woman (coincidentally the nurse who cared for Mallory the first time she was hospitalized), who informed her that she was also the nurse who cared for Atti after he was pulled from the river with amnesia, during which time the two became involved. After finding out the lies her husband told her, Mallory knew then that she belonged with Baxley, who she called to come to her rescue. Happy ending for everyone except Atticus!
Now, with all that said, my thoughts on the authors debut novel: she did a fantastic job building the back story between Mallory and Atticus, Baxley and his parents, and really left nothing on the table. I do love that this book is supposed to be the first in a series and the author did a great job of setting up the next 2 possible love interests, Mallory's best friend April and Bax's friend Finn. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Mallory Stevens is a woman who has been through hell and back. She lost her parents at a very young age and was sent to live with her aunt Lana, who could've cared less about her. She married Atticus Stevens when she was older and only 6 years into their marriage he disappeared without a trace. Mallory spent the next year and a half mourning the presumed loss of her husband, until one day she decided to take her newest client up on his offer to visit his club.
While sitting at the bar at the Royal Rooster, her clients motorcycle-club bar, she met the handsome Baxley. He was equally as smitten with her from the start, and the two of them started seeing each other. Baxley came from a rough childhood and had his own demons and scars to prove it. That first night at the bar, the two spent hours talking, well mainly Mallory talking, about her missing husband and wanting to be able to move on.
Not long after the two started dating, Mallory began a bit of a spiral where she ghosted Bax for about a week, while trying to pack up what she had left of her life with Atti. Mallory ended this by coming to the bar to profess her feelings to Bax, who at the time was dealing with his abusive father. During a scuffle between the two men, Mallory was knocked into the bar and hit her head, prompting her to become unconscious and be sent to the hospital. After her release, Baxley stayed with her to assure she was following doctors orders, and while there he was able to get a better glimpse into her and Atti's past.
Not long after Mallory began to recover, the two were walking outside and Atticus, the presumed-dead husband, was standing in front of them. Upon seeing him, Mallory fainted, again being sent to the hospital with both men in tow. Since Atticus was still legally her husband, he was let back into the exam room with Mallory, leaving Baxley sitting alone in the waiting room. Baxley decided to leave to give the two of them the chance to work things out, trying to be the bigger person despite his love for her. Atticus and Mallory tried to make it work for about a month, falling back into old habits and leaving Mallory grasping between her love for Baxley and her duty to her husband. Luckily, or unluckily, this problem was short lived, as a knock at the door revealed a very pregnant young woman (coincidentally the nurse who cared for Mallory the first time she was hospitalized), who informed her that she was also the nurse who cared for Atti after he was pulled from the river with amnesia, during which time the two became involved. After finding out the lies her husband told her, Mallory knew then that she belonged with Baxley, who she called to come to her rescue. Happy ending for everyone except Atticus!
Now, with all that said, my thoughts on the authors debut novel: she did a fantastic job building the back story between Mallory and Atticus, Baxley and his parents, and really left nothing on the table. I do love that this book is supposed to be the first in a series and the author did a great job of setting up the next 2 possible love interests, Mallory's best friend April and Bax's friend Finn. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2023
Freeing Mallory by S. Ashley, is a book full of heartbreak, starting new, finding strength and overcoming. With great characters that you want to know, storyline and plot that keep you guessing, and off the charts spice (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️) that every romance reader lives for, Free Mallory checks all the boxes. It's a Grumpy/Sunshine, He Falls first, Soulmates romance that even though as a reader you know is fiction it gives you hope in life after loss and that love can conquer anything.
FMC Mallory suffered a hard loss at a young age when she lost her parents, then growing up with an aunt that never really wanted her, she thought she had found her other half in Atticus until mysteriously he was taken from her as well. A year later she is finally trying to put the pieces back together when Baxley enters her life. He's the absolute opposite of the type of guy she usually goes for, but taking advice from a close friend she's going to go outside her comfort zone and try to have fun. Maybe he is just what she needs? MMC Baxley, a member of Royal Rooster, is a little rough around the edges. He didn't have an easy time growing up, but he found a second family with his friends and together they run the Royal Rooster. When he first sees Mallory he is mesmerized by her beauty. Her looks, smile and laugh make him want to know everything about her. In a moment of panic, Baxley becomes the shoulder to lean on that Mallory didn't realize she so despreatley needed. Baxley quickly realizes that Mallory helps melt all the pain and torment away that he has held onto for so long from his childhood. Just as they both start to feel that this chemistry and closeness is becoming something so much more, their pasts come back, turning their lives upside down. Can Bax come to terms with his past, let Mallory in enough to tell her everything so he can finally move on with a possible future with her? Can Mallory overcome her past, leaving Atticus behind for good realizing what they had was over long before he disappeared? Read and find out how Mallory and Baxley's story ends!
FMC Mallory suffered a hard loss at a young age when she lost her parents, then growing up with an aunt that never really wanted her, she thought she had found her other half in Atticus until mysteriously he was taken from her as well. A year later she is finally trying to put the pieces back together when Baxley enters her life. He's the absolute opposite of the type of guy she usually goes for, but taking advice from a close friend she's going to go outside her comfort zone and try to have fun. Maybe he is just what she needs? MMC Baxley, a member of Royal Rooster, is a little rough around the edges. He didn't have an easy time growing up, but he found a second family with his friends and together they run the Royal Rooster. When he first sees Mallory he is mesmerized by her beauty. Her looks, smile and laugh make him want to know everything about her. In a moment of panic, Baxley becomes the shoulder to lean on that Mallory didn't realize she so despreatley needed. Baxley quickly realizes that Mallory helps melt all the pain and torment away that he has held onto for so long from his childhood. Just as they both start to feel that this chemistry and closeness is becoming something so much more, their pasts come back, turning their lives upside down. Can Bax come to terms with his past, let Mallory in enough to tell her everything so he can finally move on with a possible future with her? Can Mallory overcome her past, leaving Atticus behind for good realizing what they had was over long before he disappeared? Read and find out how Mallory and Baxley's story ends!
January 17, 2025
I’m not a huge fan of romance but this was a great story! Spoilers ahead… i definitely liked to see the characters overcome their internal struggles, and as far as the ending and Atticus’s return was so exciting even though I knew it was coming with the foreshadowing but I couldn’t wait to see how she got rid of the guy, even though I knew she should be with her husband I was so glad when the other woman turned up pregnant. AND who she was such a surprise too. I was like thank God. 😂. I thought the story was sooo well written for a first novel, funny, relatable at times and the spice was perfect mix of passion and sexiness. I definitely laughed out loud at funny parts. I think some of the drama was a little thrown in and glazed over if that makes sense? I struggled with Axel telling Lor about bax’s dad and Bax getting all worked up about it. I look forward to reading more about the royal roosters and hope for more background story and motorcycle gang people owning a bar drama. Can’t wait to read Hating April… I loved the friendship with April and Lor 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2023
Mallory has been dealt a crappy hand since childhood now as a grown adult she is mourning the loss of her husband Atticus. She takes on a new client at work and with the words of encouragement to step out of her comfort zone Mallory does so. In the process she meets Baxley. He is a member of the MC club Mallory is helping to represent. Spark life and these two go on a romantic adventure with the future being unclear.
Let me start by S. Ashley did a great job on her debut novel. The story was great and had a bunch of twists and turns I didn't expect. The character both main and supporting, were great and got me excited for the future of this series. Baxley is my book boyfriend gold. This man is selfless and this made him more loveable and sexy. That selflessness made you want to root for him. I liked Mallory but I got to be honest a few times she was making me mad with how much she whined about Atticus. Overall great FMC and MMC both great, chemistry was hot and spicy.
Let me start by S. Ashley did a great job on her debut novel. The story was great and had a bunch of twists and turns I didn't expect. The character both main and supporting, were great and got me excited for the future of this series. Baxley is my book boyfriend gold. This man is selfless and this made him more loveable and sexy. That selflessness made you want to root for him. I liked Mallory but I got to be honest a few times she was making me mad with how much she whined about Atticus. Overall great FMC and MMC both great, chemistry was hot and spicy.
November 30, 2023
This is a spicy motorcycle club romance novel. It was so amazing that I could not put it down. 5 ✨ on story and 🌶️🌶️🌶️. Mallory is no stranger to loss and feeling like happiness is always just out of reach. Bax didn’t have the greatest childhood growing up but he made the best of it and created his own family made up of friends. Mallory is trying something new and unexpected on her bosses advice after her husband is assumed dead when she meets Bax who is part of the Royal Roosters MC. The spark is instantaneous between them but Bax has a dark secret from his past that may come back to haunt him. There is love, drama, spice, and a few twists.
June 10, 2024
Freeing Mallory is a romance that delivers a decent amount of spice while also providing an interesting story. Both of the main characters, Mallory and Baxley, have been through some traumatic things in the past, so there's an undertone of grief, but it is interesting to see how they each face it and learn to move on. I found both of the main characters to be likable and more complex than I was expecting, and I enjoyed the relationship between them. There's a twist along the way that didn't really come as a surprise for me, though there were still aspects of it that I didn't expect. The story was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, but I was happy with the way things ended.
January 14, 2026
Freeing Mallory is a sweet with spice romance. It's a fast, easy read. The storyline is not complicated and predictable. Characters are realistic, flawed, but relatable. I enjoyed it overall.
There were a few disappointments for me. While I can accept a female that overshares her feelings, when a male character overdoes it, I, personally, get annoyed. That piece just wasn't real for me. I was also left with a couple questions and felt there was a missed opportunity. The ending felt a little rushed to a HEA, which left some untied strings. But I think these are more me issues.
This would make a great poolside or travel read.
There were a few disappointments for me. While I can accept a female that overshares her feelings, when a male character overdoes it, I, personally, get annoyed. That piece just wasn't real for me. I was also left with a couple questions and felt there was a missed opportunity. The ending felt a little rushed to a HEA, which left some untied strings. But I think these are more me issues.
This would make a great poolside or travel read.
May 28, 2025
This book left me confused. I know I was supposed to empathize with the very depressed Mallory but there wasn't enough information given for that to happen. I had hoped to really like this book but it read somewhat disjointedly with frequent, lengthy flashbacks, and an unlikely plot. The ending, specifically, would not be the legal resolution. I know, I know, it's fiction but ...
I gave this book a generous 2.5 stars. Lots of editing errors scattered throughout. Implausible storyline. But it's a first book so keep writing S Ashley!
I gave this book a generous 2.5 stars. Lots of editing errors scattered throughout. Implausible storyline. But it's a first book so keep writing S Ashley!
December 13, 2023
This books starts out so tragic. It truly is a quest to free Mallory. While it might not be a physical prison, it absolutely is a mental one. Mallory feels like she just can’t keep anything that makes her happy, then she finds her biker Hunk Baxley with his own shadowed past. Together they trudge through and find something so fulfilling. Though, don’t get too comfortable, there’s a definite twist that will have you reeling.
December 14, 2023
I absolutely loved reading this story and finished this all in one sitting because I couldn’t put this down. Mallory and Baxley were both such incredible characters and I loved them so much. The supporting characters were truly wonderful as well. Overall, I highly recommend reading this book and I can’t wait to read future books in this series.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
March 30, 2024
This is THE one!!
You won’t be finding a better duo that Mallory and Baxley, I mean really after everything they’ve become two halves of a whole. It’s amazing to see their relationship blossom and become this hard fall love story, it’s a storyline you’ve read a thousand times but this author has such a way of writing that you forget. It’s a slow burn in some aspects… I won’t spoil anything though😉
You won’t be finding a better duo that Mallory and Baxley, I mean really after everything they’ve become two halves of a whole. It’s amazing to see their relationship blossom and become this hard fall love story, it’s a storyline you’ve read a thousand times but this author has such a way of writing that you forget. It’s a slow burn in some aspects… I won’t spoil anything though😉
September 23, 2025
Insert necessary sigh here because I just finished a damn good book and need some time to process! Mal is grieving the loss of her husband and attempting to move on with her life and she happens to meet hot, domineering Bax that helps her move on in the best way. Completely smitten with how this story moved me and I will always have a place with it in my heart. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!
December 4, 2023
Freeing Mallory is my first read by this author and absolutely not my last. Mallory's story is intense, intriguing, emotional and hotter than Hades! This poor woman has been through complete and utter h*^* and back. This storyline is completely consuming from the first page to the last and oh my gosh these characters. I can't wait for more from this author!
March 5, 2024
Great read!
Mallory is trying to move on from losing her husband when she meets Baxley who is a little damaged from a rough childhood. They get together and seem to heal each other until their pasts come back to threaten their happiness. These characters are raw and real and this is a compelling story.
Mallory is trying to move on from losing her husband when she meets Baxley who is a little damaged from a rough childhood. They get together and seem to heal each other until their pasts come back to threaten their happiness. These characters are raw and real and this is a compelling story.
March 26, 2025
new author
I discovered this author by accident and I’m glad I did.
Bax and Mals story has lots of ups and downs you can really feel the emotions the characters are going through.
I’m looking forward to what this author writes next she has definitely been added to my must read list
I discovered this author by accident and I’m glad I did.
Bax and Mals story has lots of ups and downs you can really feel the emotions the characters are going through.
I’m looking forward to what this author writes next she has definitely been added to my must read list
December 14, 2023
EEEEEKKK!
This book passed my expectations. Moving on is not easy, and I loved reading the conflict from Mallory and Bax. Such a sweet love story, and the spice...that was nice. I can not wait to read more from this Author.
This book passed my expectations. Moving on is not easy, and I loved reading the conflict from Mallory and Bax. Such a sweet love story, and the spice...that was nice. I can not wait to read more from this Author.
June 28, 2024
The plot of this story is great! It hooked me in the beginning and kept me guessing till the end.
The characters were super likable. You cannot help yourself from falling for the male lead. He is so patient and understanding.
I could only rate this book 3 stars because of the layout and the editing. There are quite a few mistakes that interrupt the story completely, and It takes the ability to lose yourself into the story away.
The characters were super likable. You cannot help yourself from falling for the male lead. He is so patient and understanding.
I could only rate this book 3 stars because of the layout and the editing. There are quite a few mistakes that interrupt the story completely, and It takes the ability to lose yourself into the story away.
August 8, 2025
Lots of spice (4 peppers) where both the FMC and MMC have traumatic childhoods that haunt them. There's a twist near the ending that adds a little suspense to the plot which was nice. Cute debut novel!
April 11, 2024
If you’re into romance with a bit of drama and lots of spice, then this is your story! I definitely enjoyed this book!
February 14, 2025
I absolutely felt like there was more than one twist that kept me curious and reading more!
December 13, 2023
This debut novel is a great read. The author did an amazing job of laying out the story, really bringing you in as a reader and making you feel all the feels. As this is book one in a series, I look forward to reading the next instalments.
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